A review by dlrosebyh
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous mysterious 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

4.5

Heiress Avery Grambs is left to pick up the pieces after the shocking conclusion of the Inheritance Games and seek out the person who might have the answers to all of her questions, including why Tobias Hawthorne decided to leave his whole estate to Avery rather than his own children or grandsons.

A DNA test has confirmed for Avery that she is not a Hawthorne by blood, but signs are mounting that point to a closer relationship to the family than she had ever thought. Two of the mysterious and alluring Hawthorne grandchildren, Grayson and Jameson, continue to tug Avery in separate directions as the mystery deepens and the plot congeals. In addition, danger lurks around every turn as new enemies arise who will use any means necessary to remove Avery from the scene.

i think my thoughts are still the same thing with my thoughts from the first book. but this book was definitely what i needed. don’t get me wrong, i liked the first book, but this one? i loved. most second books in a series are fillers, but this one, i think, is as important— or even more important than the first book. i’m so glad it didn’t go through the second book syndrome.

I adore how developed the characters in this novel are. I felt Grayson was missing something in the first book, and I was correct. I now have a completely new appreciation for Grayson as a result of this book. Even though I wish I had seen more of him in this book because the game was originally supposed to be his, Xander is still my favorite character. Additionally, there is a lot more character drama, and we meet more significant characters (more assholes, I fear).

Like the first novel, this was overflowing with action. You go swiftly, captivatingly, and enticingly from point A to point B, from one chapter to the next. I didn't really guess many of the plot twists in this one because they were more unexpected, which is something I appreciate in a mystery book. The mood is ruined by a mystery book with a predictable plot twist.  

Because of the kiss, I was a little worried for that Avery would choose Grayson, but now I'm very certain that Jameson is the endgame. After reading the "heads and tails" quote, how could anyone not choose Jameson? I adore Grayson as a person, but for a relationship to work out, he needs to move on from Emily.
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