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michaelinereadsalot's reviews
278 reviews
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
5.0
AHHH I loved this book so much! I could not put it down. I read over 120 pages in one sitting. I have ADHD, so that literally never happens! I am dying to read the next one.
Avery Grambs has plans to better her future and leave her unfortunate circumstances behind when she graduates high school. However, Avery did not plan to inherit the estate of billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, whom she had never met. When Avery is brought to Hawthorne House and informed of her inheritance, shocking Avery and her sister and leaving the Hawthorne family outraged, she learns that there is a catch to the inheritance: she must live in Hawthorne House with the disinherited Hawthornes for a year. What she doesn't know is Hawthorne House is full of puzzles and mysteries waiting to be solved, particularly that of why Tobias would disinherit his family and leave everything to a stranger. But as she looks to solve these mysteries with the help (and sometimes hinderance) of Tobias Hawthorne's four grandsons, danger lurks around every corner. Will she last the year and discover the reason for her inheritance, or will she die trying?
The pacing of this book was *chef's kiss* perfect. There was not a single part of this book where I felt like things were dragging or boring. I was engaged the entire book and constantly wanting more. I did not want to put this book down.
I also absolutely loved the characters. Avery is a really fun main character to follow. She has a really distinct voice and has many compelling qualities. However, even more compelling are each of the Hawthorne brothers. Jennifer Lynn Barnes does an incredible job making sure each of her characters has truly unique personalities. You could probably delete the character names from the dialogue in this book and still correctly guess the characters about 90% of the time.
The puzzles and twists and turns of this book were really fun as well. Most of the twists I did not see coming, and the secrets that the Hawthorne boys are keeping will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really hope that the sequels are just as good because I have not been so sucked into a book in a long time.
Avery Grambs has plans to better her future and leave her unfortunate circumstances behind when she graduates high school. However, Avery did not plan to inherit the estate of billionaire Tobias Hawthorne, whom she had never met. When Avery is brought to Hawthorne House and informed of her inheritance, shocking Avery and her sister and leaving the Hawthorne family outraged, she learns that there is a catch to the inheritance: she must live in Hawthorne House with the disinherited Hawthornes for a year. What she doesn't know is Hawthorne House is full of puzzles and mysteries waiting to be solved, particularly that of why Tobias would disinherit his family and leave everything to a stranger. But as she looks to solve these mysteries with the help (and sometimes hinderance) of Tobias Hawthorne's four grandsons, danger lurks around every corner. Will she last the year and discover the reason for her inheritance, or will she die trying?
The pacing of this book was *chef's kiss* perfect. There was not a single part of this book where I felt like things were dragging or boring. I was engaged the entire book and constantly wanting more. I did not want to put this book down.
I also absolutely loved the characters. Avery is a really fun main character to follow. She has a really distinct voice and has many compelling qualities. However, even more compelling are each of the Hawthorne brothers. Jennifer Lynn Barnes does an incredible job making sure each of her characters has truly unique personalities. You could probably delete the character names from the dialogue in this book and still correctly guess the characters about 90% of the time.
The puzzles and twists and turns of this book were really fun as well. Most of the twists I did not see coming, and the secrets that the Hawthorne boys are keeping will keep you on the edge of your seat. I really hope that the sequels are just as good because I have not been so sucked into a book in a long time.
I'm No Philosopher, But I Got Thoughts: Mini-Meditations for Saints, Sinners, and the Rest of Us by Kristin Chenoweth
3.0
Let's start with this: I love Kristin Chenoweth! I listened to this on audiobook while cleaning, and her narration was engaging and funny. However, most of her life advice was based in Christianity and prayer, which is just not up my alley, and a lot of it was pretty common and cliched advice. It wasn't bad for what it is, and the parts where she shared more about her own life were great, but it definitely wasn't anything outstanding. If you're grabbing this because you're interested in Kristin, then grab A Little Bit Wicked instead, but if you are looking for some self-help through a Christian lens, this is your book. Overall, it was not my favorite, but it wasn't unbearable to listen to either, especially if you're a fan of Kristin Chenoweth and her whole vibe.
From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper
4.0
I adore witchy romances, y'all! From Bad to Cursed is no exception. I loved it! I will say I loved it a smidge less than Payback's A Witch though. But I still had a great time reading this one, and I would definitely recommend it.
When a nasty curse is cast very publicly on Holly Thorn, a member of one of the four founding families of the magical town of Thistle Grove, her cousin Rowan Thorn is forced to team up with Isidora (Issa) Avramov to investigate the crime. However, Issa and Rowan have a rocky history and as Issa would put it, Rowan is her archnemesis. If that wasn't enough reason for them not to get along, Avramovs are necromancers, practicing dark, death magic, while the Thorns practice green, life magic, a contradiction which has caused their families to be in conflict since Thistle Grove's founding. Issa and Rowan have to figure out how to get along to bring justice to the Thorns. The more they get along, the more Issa realizes something she can't ignore: Rowan Thorn may be annoying and self-righteous, but that is not keeping her from finding him irritatingly attractive.
I absolutely loved Issa's character and the whole vibe of the Avramov's, but Rowan fell kind of flat for me. He wasn't the worst love interest I've ever encountered in a book, but he wasn't my favorite either. I did love that there was some mental health rep in this book, and Rowan handles that really well. The scene I'm referring to almost made me love him but not quite. However, the spicy scenes were well written and didn't feel cringey, so I loved that.
I felt like the use of magic was more consistent in this book as compared to Payback's A Witch, so I really enjoyed that aspect of it, and I loved the addition of ghosts and demons. It made it much more spooky, which was great.
Overall, this one was almost everything you could want from a witchy romcom, and I think that others might enjoy it even more than I did if Rowan is more their type of book boyfriend. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good witchy book.
When a nasty curse is cast very publicly on Holly Thorn, a member of one of the four founding families of the magical town of Thistle Grove, her cousin Rowan Thorn is forced to team up with Isidora (Issa) Avramov to investigate the crime. However, Issa and Rowan have a rocky history and as Issa would put it, Rowan is her archnemesis. If that wasn't enough reason for them not to get along, Avramovs are necromancers, practicing dark, death magic, while the Thorns practice green, life magic, a contradiction which has caused their families to be in conflict since Thistle Grove's founding. Issa and Rowan have to figure out how to get along to bring justice to the Thorns. The more they get along, the more Issa realizes something she can't ignore: Rowan Thorn may be annoying and self-righteous, but that is not keeping her from finding him irritatingly attractive.
I absolutely loved Issa's character and the whole vibe of the Avramov's, but Rowan fell kind of flat for me. He wasn't the worst love interest I've ever encountered in a book, but he wasn't my favorite either. I did love that there was some mental health rep in this book, and Rowan handles that really well. The scene I'm referring to almost made me love him but not quite. However, the spicy scenes were well written and didn't feel cringey, so I loved that.
I felt like the use of magic was more consistent in this book as compared to Payback's A Witch, so I really enjoyed that aspect of it, and I loved the addition of ghosts and demons. It made it much more spooky, which was great.
Overall, this one was almost everything you could want from a witchy romcom, and I think that others might enjoy it even more than I did if Rowan is more their type of book boyfriend. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good witchy book.
The Thick and the Lean by Chana Porter
2.0
I won't lie, I had extremely high hopes for this book, but I was very much let down. The premise of this book was stunning, but the execution left me wanting so much more.
It is a dystopian novel set on a planet with two moons where eating in public is taboo and eating for pleasure is sinful, while public sex is the norm and sex for pleasure with multiple partners brings you closer to God. You follow two characters, Beatrice and Reiko. Beatrice lives in a religious cult called Seagate, where the rules about not eating for pleasure are much more strict than in the nearby city, but Beatrice wants nothing more than to cook and eat delicious meals. Reiko grew up poor in a part of the city where the rules on eating were a little more lax, and she has been given the opportunity to change her whole life by attending college in the city on a full scholarship. And boy does her life change.
Chana Porter uses this book to comment on diet culture, relationships, class, religion, body image, sex, and so much more. But in trying to do so much, she really missed the mark. With all of that going on, it was hard to really delve into any of it in a way that felt complete and satisfying.
I also felt that with this premise, the plot could have been so much more engaging and could have had more going on, but instead, it almost felt like there was no plot at all. This could be ok if the book was more focused on character development than the plot, but the characters were very flat as well and didn't really grow much through the book either.
What I did enjoy was the way the author writes and the way she describes things, especially food. Girl had me craving a grilled cheese, and I don't even really like grilled cheese much. I also appreciated the way she built out this world for her premise. I felt like the setting was the only aspect of the book that was fully developed, and it would have been a perfect world for more intriguing characters and plot points. Overall, I don't think I would recommend this one to others.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest review.
It is a dystopian novel set on a planet with two moons where eating in public is taboo and eating for pleasure is sinful, while public sex is the norm and sex for pleasure with multiple partners brings you closer to God. You follow two characters, Beatrice and Reiko. Beatrice lives in a religious cult called Seagate, where the rules about not eating for pleasure are much more strict than in the nearby city, but Beatrice wants nothing more than to cook and eat delicious meals. Reiko grew up poor in a part of the city where the rules on eating were a little more lax, and she has been given the opportunity to change her whole life by attending college in the city on a full scholarship. And boy does her life change.
Chana Porter uses this book to comment on diet culture, relationships, class, religion, body image, sex, and so much more. But in trying to do so much, she really missed the mark. With all of that going on, it was hard to really delve into any of it in a way that felt complete and satisfying.
I also felt that with this premise, the plot could have been so much more engaging and could have had more going on, but instead, it almost felt like there was no plot at all. This could be ok if the book was more focused on character development than the plot, but the characters were very flat as well and didn't really grow much through the book either.
What I did enjoy was the way the author writes and the way she describes things, especially food. Girl had me craving a grilled cheese, and I don't even really like grilled cheese much. I also appreciated the way she built out this world for her premise. I felt like the setting was the only aspect of the book that was fully developed, and it would have been a perfect world for more intriguing characters and plot points. Overall, I don't think I would recommend this one to others.
*I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway, and this is my honest review.
Family of Liars by E. Lockhart
5.0
Just as good as We Were Liars, this prequel had me completely enthralled from start to finish. It was another super quick read that had twists and turns that kept you engaged throughout.
This story follows the moms of the original Liars, with Johnny's mom Caroline narrating, when they were teenagers and spending their summers on the island. When Caroline's cousin brings her boyfriend and his two guy friends to spend the summer on the island with the Sinclairs, summer romances mix with trauma, addictions, and ghosts and lead to summer tragedy. If you thought the Liars had secrets, they ain't got nothing on their mothers.
This book was so much fun. I really liked the characters of all the Sinclair sisters and the boys. The way this was written, I really felt a punch to the gut when the twists came around. I really felt set up to be devastated. I will say that compared to the twists in We Were Liars, this one didn't seem to be quite as shocking, but it was shocking nonetheless. I enjoyed finding out why the Sinclair sisters were the way they were during We Were Liars and delving into the family's secrets and traumas. However, this is another book for which I would suggest checking Storygraph for content warnings. Though, again, the content warnings will spoil the twists for you. Overall, I loved this duology and w0uld recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery/thriller vibe.
This story follows the moms of the original Liars, with Johnny's mom Caroline narrating, when they were teenagers and spending their summers on the island. When Caroline's cousin brings her boyfriend and his two guy friends to spend the summer on the island with the Sinclairs, summer romances mix with trauma, addictions, and ghosts and lead to summer tragedy. If you thought the Liars had secrets, they ain't got nothing on their mothers.
This book was so much fun. I really liked the characters of all the Sinclair sisters and the boys. The way this was written, I really felt a punch to the gut when the twists came around. I really felt set up to be devastated. I will say that compared to the twists in We Were Liars, this one didn't seem to be quite as shocking, but it was shocking nonetheless. I enjoyed finding out why the Sinclair sisters were the way they were during We Were Liars and delving into the family's secrets and traumas. However, this is another book for which I would suggest checking Storygraph for content warnings. Though, again, the content warnings will spoil the twists for you. Overall, I loved this duology and w0uld recommend it to anyone who enjoys a mystery/thriller vibe.
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
5.0
When I finished The Inheritance Games, I was desperate to get my hands on this sequel, and when I finally did, it did not disappoint! I devoured this book the same way I did the first one.
Still on a quest to figure out why Tobias Hawthorne disinherited his family to leave his fortune to a seemingly random teenager, Avery and the Hawthorne boys play another game left for them by the old man, and this time the object of the game is to find Toby Hawthorne, the son of Tobias who does not appear to want to be found. However, Avery has her own reasons to want to find Toby, and she's not going to stop until she does. Along the way, family secrets are unearthed, and not just those of the Hawthornes. Will Avery bring the Hawthorne boys together to help find Toby, or will history repeat itself with their affections for the same girl tearing them apart again?
I was so worried that this second book couldn't live up to the first, but I absolutely loved it. The games and puzzles were just as fun, and I really enjoyed learning more about the history of the Hawthornes (particularly Toby) and getting a little more insight into why Avery was chosen to inherit. I will say, if you don't like the love triangles trope, do not grab this book. It's heavy on the "oh no which boy am I going to choose?" panic, and, in my opinion, she chose wrong. I am a big fan of the love triangle, so I loved it, but I can see why some might be annoyed by it. This time, I was prepared with the third book and didn't have to wait to keep at it, and I'm so glad I was! Overall, I still strongly recommend this series, especially if you enjoy mysteries that aren't heavy on the murder.
Still on a quest to figure out why Tobias Hawthorne disinherited his family to leave his fortune to a seemingly random teenager, Avery and the Hawthorne boys play another game left for them by the old man, and this time the object of the game is to find Toby Hawthorne, the son of Tobias who does not appear to want to be found. However, Avery has her own reasons to want to find Toby, and she's not going to stop until she does. Along the way, family secrets are unearthed, and not just those of the Hawthornes. Will Avery bring the Hawthorne boys together to help find Toby, or will history repeat itself with their affections for the same girl tearing them apart again?
I was so worried that this second book couldn't live up to the first, but I absolutely loved it. The games and puzzles were just as fun, and I really enjoyed learning more about the history of the Hawthornes (particularly Toby) and getting a little more insight into why Avery was chosen to inherit. I will say, if you don't like the love triangles trope, do not grab this book. It's heavy on the "oh no which boy am I going to choose?" panic, and, in my opinion, she chose wrong. I am a big fan of the love triangle, so I loved it, but I can see why some might be annoyed by it. This time, I was prepared with the third book and didn't have to wait to keep at it, and I'm so glad I was! Overall, I still strongly recommend this series, especially if you enjoy mysteries that aren't heavy on the murder.
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
5.0
I truly couldn't have asked for this series to be wrapped up in a better way, which made me kind of confused about why she's writing two more books, but I'll still be reading them.
This final(ish) installment in the series follows Avery as she plays Tobias Hawthorne's final game and works against new adversaries to save Toby. Along the way, she and the Hawthorne boys discover who the old man truly was and must deal with the consequences of the odious decisions he made to get ahead. All the while, the year Avery is required to live in Hawthorne House to secure her inheritance is coming to a close. Will she be able to survive the year and gain an inheritance large enough to change the world? And if so, what is she going to do with her newly won power?
Honestly, I absolutely adored this book and loved how the series was brought to a close. My only concern with the book was that one of the new characters brought in, Eve, was super irritating, and I felt like the characters were too blindly trusting of her. But compared to the amount of fun I had reading the rest of the book, that irritation was truly insignificant. While I still feel like Avery picked the wrong Hawthorne boy, the romance was enjoyable, and the tension between her and both Hawthorne love interests made for intriguing conflict. I also just love how Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes characters in general, as they all bring something unique to the story. Xander and Max add so much even though they're side characters, and I would kill for a spinoff that follows them. Overall, this book was a fast paced and fun, and if you were thinking of reading the series I would absolutely encourage you to do so.
This final(ish) installment in the series follows Avery as she plays Tobias Hawthorne's final game and works against new adversaries to save Toby. Along the way, she and the Hawthorne boys discover who the old man truly was and must deal with the consequences of the odious decisions he made to get ahead. All the while, the year Avery is required to live in Hawthorne House to secure her inheritance is coming to a close. Will she be able to survive the year and gain an inheritance large enough to change the world? And if so, what is she going to do with her newly won power?
Honestly, I absolutely adored this book and loved how the series was brought to a close. My only concern with the book was that one of the new characters brought in, Eve, was super irritating, and I felt like the characters were too blindly trusting of her. But compared to the amount of fun I had reading the rest of the book, that irritation was truly insignificant. While I still feel like Avery picked the wrong Hawthorne boy, the romance was enjoyable, and the tension between her and both Hawthorne love interests made for intriguing conflict. I also just love how Jennifer Lynn Barnes writes characters in general, as they all bring something unique to the story. Xander and Max add so much even though they're side characters, and I would kill for a spinoff that follows them. Overall, this book was a fast paced and fun, and if you were thinking of reading the series I would absolutely encourage you to do so.
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
5.0
The first 100 pages were hard for me to get into, but once I got past that this book had my whole heart. Sweet, spicy, flirtatious, and full of amazing representation, I adored this book.
This laugh out loud British romcom follows our main character Chloe Brown who has a near death experience which spurs her to realize she has been using her disability and chronic pain as an excuse to not live her life. But no more! Chloe writes a list of exciting things she is going to do so she can get a life. When Chloe finds herself stuck in a tree trying to save a cat, her apartment building's overly helpful, and in Chloe's eyes severely irritating yet attractive, superintendent, Red, helps her and the cat out of the tree. Despite previous friction, Chloe and Red reluctantly decide to help each other out. Red helps Chloe with her Get a Life List, and Chloe helps Red build an online presence to sell his art. The more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to continue hating each other and deny their growing attraction.
The reason I struggled with the first 100 pages was that Chloe felt a little unlikable to me, and the spice started up before the romance really kicked off. However, Chloe's unlikability is explained throughout the book, and now I fully understand why Talia Hibbert wrote the character the way she did. It's actually the beauty of her writing. Talia lets you get to know the characters just as organically as the characters get to know each other. For that reason, it took me a bit longer to grow to love Chloe. But in the end, it was totally worth it. Talia also writes flirtatious and spicy scenes in such a masterful way. I don't think any other author has been able to get me grinning ear to ear and kicking my feet with a chest full of butterflies in quite the same way as she has. And her spice is never awkward or cheesy. It's just flawlessly sexy. But let's talk about Red. Red is such a warm, caring love interest, and he helps Chloe in her times of need in such a respectful and loving way. He doesn't hold it over her that she needs help, he doesn't judge her for her disability, and he treats her with care without being condescending. He is so unproblematic, despite having plenty of baggage of his own. In the rare moments where he makes a mistake and treats Chloe poorly, he takes accountability for his actions and takes steps to better himself so he doesn't make that mistake again. There is NOTHING sexier than a man who acknowledges his faults and works to do better. Chef's kiss. Perfect. Overall, if you love sweet and spicy romance novels, POC and disability representation, and a really fun time, I would recommend checking out this book.
This laugh out loud British romcom follows our main character Chloe Brown who has a near death experience which spurs her to realize she has been using her disability and chronic pain as an excuse to not live her life. But no more! Chloe writes a list of exciting things she is going to do so she can get a life. When Chloe finds herself stuck in a tree trying to save a cat, her apartment building's overly helpful, and in Chloe's eyes severely irritating yet attractive, superintendent, Red, helps her and the cat out of the tree. Despite previous friction, Chloe and Red reluctantly decide to help each other out. Red helps Chloe with her Get a Life List, and Chloe helps Red build an online presence to sell his art. The more time they spend together, the harder it is for them to continue hating each other and deny their growing attraction.
The reason I struggled with the first 100 pages was that Chloe felt a little unlikable to me, and the spice started up before the romance really kicked off. However, Chloe's unlikability is explained throughout the book, and now I fully understand why Talia Hibbert wrote the character the way she did. It's actually the beauty of her writing. Talia lets you get to know the characters just as organically as the characters get to know each other. For that reason, it took me a bit longer to grow to love Chloe. But in the end, it was totally worth it. Talia also writes flirtatious and spicy scenes in such a masterful way. I don't think any other author has been able to get me grinning ear to ear and kicking my feet with a chest full of butterflies in quite the same way as she has. And her spice is never awkward or cheesy. It's just flawlessly sexy. But let's talk about Red. Red is such a warm, caring love interest, and he helps Chloe in her times of need in such a respectful and loving way. He doesn't hold it over her that she needs help, he doesn't judge her for her disability, and he treats her with care without being condescending. He is so unproblematic, despite having plenty of baggage of his own. In the rare moments where he makes a mistake and treats Chloe poorly, he takes accountability for his actions and takes steps to better himself so he doesn't make that mistake again. There is NOTHING sexier than a man who acknowledges his faults and works to do better. Chef's kiss. Perfect. Overall, if you love sweet and spicy romance novels, POC and disability representation, and a really fun time, I would recommend checking out this book.
Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar
5.0
I had originally rated this book 4 stars, but several days later, I cannot stop thinking about this book, so I upped it to 5.
Jill Duggar, of the 19 Kids and Counting Duggars, shares what it was like growing up in a religious cult and having her whole life broadcast on television. She delves into the ways her father's patriarchal and religious teachings made her think about the world and the conflict she felt growing up and coming into her own ideas about faith and family. Jill also discusses the way her family was exploited by both TLC and her father, as she and her siblings were not paid for her time on the show, the money going to her father instead. She explores the ways her religious upbringing made her feel about being sexually assaulted by her brother, the ways her father failed her when it came to protecting her and her privacy after the assault, and how the media and court system revictimized her and her siblings by releasing the details of the investigation. Overall, she shares details of both the trauma she experienced and the healing process.
I watched the recent documentary on the Duggars, and that was pretty outrageous, but hearing it from Jill's perspective was much more impactful. To hear how she survived so many different forms of abuse and came out on the other side stronger in her faith and relationship was quite inspiring. I'm not religious myself, but I really enjoy hearing about other people's religious upbringings and how their faith evolves throughout their lives. It would have been really easy for someone who experienced as much religious trauma as Jill had to leave religion behind entirely as an adult. Instead, she and her husband found their way to a version of Christianity that encouraged and supported their healing. I was really heartbroken to hear about the exploitation that these children experienced and the way their father played a role in that exploitation, but I was so thrilled to hear how Jill learned to stand up for herself and set boundaries with her parents, regardless of their backlash. Overall, I found this book to be incredibly interesting, heartbreaking, and inspiring. If religious cults or the Duggars in general are things you're interested in, I would definitely suggest checking out this book.
Jill Duggar, of the 19 Kids and Counting Duggars, shares what it was like growing up in a religious cult and having her whole life broadcast on television. She delves into the ways her father's patriarchal and religious teachings made her think about the world and the conflict she felt growing up and coming into her own ideas about faith and family. Jill also discusses the way her family was exploited by both TLC and her father, as she and her siblings were not paid for her time on the show, the money going to her father instead. She explores the ways her religious upbringing made her feel about being sexually assaulted by her brother, the ways her father failed her when it came to protecting her and her privacy after the assault, and how the media and court system revictimized her and her siblings by releasing the details of the investigation. Overall, she shares details of both the trauma she experienced and the healing process.
I watched the recent documentary on the Duggars, and that was pretty outrageous, but hearing it from Jill's perspective was much more impactful. To hear how she survived so many different forms of abuse and came out on the other side stronger in her faith and relationship was quite inspiring. I'm not religious myself, but I really enjoy hearing about other people's religious upbringings and how their faith evolves throughout their lives. It would have been really easy for someone who experienced as much religious trauma as Jill had to leave religion behind entirely as an adult. Instead, she and her husband found their way to a version of Christianity that encouraged and supported their healing. I was really heartbroken to hear about the exploitation that these children experienced and the way their father played a role in that exploitation, but I was so thrilled to hear how Jill learned to stand up for herself and set boundaries with her parents, regardless of their backlash. Overall, I found this book to be incredibly interesting, heartbreaking, and inspiring. If religious cults or the Duggars in general are things you're interested in, I would definitely suggest checking out this book.
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
4.0
I'm going to preface this review with the fact that I made some incorrect assumptions about this book going into it that completely skewed my thoughts on the book, and when I figured out I was totally wrong, it completely shifted my opinion (and made me feel like an absolute idiot).
First of all, I thought that this book was going to be a final bonus book in the Inheritance Games world, so I was expecting it to be a complete story. As a result, I was totally confused by the large amount of set up for the story, and DEEPLY confused when things not only didn't wrap up at the end but opened new doors and introduced new mysteries. So I moseyed on over to Goodreads and discovered that there is another book in the works. I felt very stupid.
I also thought that this story was just a random, relatively unrelated story coming after the epilogue of The Final Gambit. So I thought it felt really disjointed and weird. But then the epilogue of this book made it clear that the story took place between the final chapter of The Final Gambit and the epilogue of The Final Gambit, thus explaining how Avery came to the decision to start her own version of the old man's games. Again. I felt SO stupid.
However, these two revelations resolved 90% of my complaints about the book. So... it's kind of hard to review it. But here I go.
This book follows Jameson and Grayson Hawthorne after Avery officially inherits their grandfather's fortune. Jameson is off traveling the world with Avery when he meets his father, who asks him to get involved in a wild secret society to win back their family's ancestral home, a castle in Scotland. Once invited, Jameson and Avery must find a way to impress the leader of the society to get an invite into his prestigious, dangerous game. On the other hand, Grayson is in Phoenix, keeping an eye on his half sisters and their mother. He is desperate to protect Avery and keep his sisters from discovering the truth about their father's disappearance, but the more he grows to care for them, the harder it gets to keep his secrets.
In the beginning, I was way more engaged in Grayson's story than Jameson's, but around the halfway point, both stories started to take off, and they were almost as fun as the original Hawthorne games. I will say that since the book was called the Brothers Hawthorne, I was really hoping to get some part of the story from Xander's (and, I guess, Nash's) perspective. Xander is such a fun character, I would kill for a spinoff that just follows him. Overall, the book was fun, I just went into it with all the wrong information. If you liked the rest of the series, I'd absolutely recommend this one.
First of all, I thought that this book was going to be a final bonus book in the Inheritance Games world, so I was expecting it to be a complete story. As a result, I was totally confused by the large amount of set up for the story, and DEEPLY confused when things not only didn't wrap up at the end but opened new doors and introduced new mysteries. So I moseyed on over to Goodreads and discovered that there is another book in the works. I felt very stupid.
I also thought that this story was just a random, relatively unrelated story coming after the epilogue of The Final Gambit. So I thought it felt really disjointed and weird. But then the epilogue of this book made it clear that the story took place between the final chapter of The Final Gambit and the epilogue of The Final Gambit, thus explaining how Avery came to the decision to start her own version of the old man's games. Again. I felt SO stupid.
However, these two revelations resolved 90% of my complaints about the book. So... it's kind of hard to review it. But here I go.
This book follows Jameson and Grayson Hawthorne after Avery officially inherits their grandfather's fortune. Jameson is off traveling the world with Avery when he meets his father, who asks him to get involved in a wild secret society to win back their family's ancestral home, a castle in Scotland. Once invited, Jameson and Avery must find a way to impress the leader of the society to get an invite into his prestigious, dangerous game. On the other hand, Grayson is in Phoenix, keeping an eye on his half sisters and their mother. He is desperate to protect Avery and keep his sisters from discovering the truth about their father's disappearance, but the more he grows to care for them, the harder it gets to keep his secrets.
In the beginning, I was way more engaged in Grayson's story than Jameson's, but around the halfway point, both stories started to take off, and they were almost as fun as the original Hawthorne games. I will say that since the book was called the Brothers Hawthorne, I was really hoping to get some part of the story from Xander's (and, I guess, Nash's) perspective. Xander is such a fun character, I would kill for a spinoff that just follows him. Overall, the book was fun, I just went into it with all the wrong information. If you liked the rest of the series, I'd absolutely recommend this one.