The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
When I first heard about the book The Inheritance Games, I was intrigued. It seemed like exactly my kind of book— a strong female protagonist and a compelling mystery? I’m in. And upon reading it, the story delivered.
The Inheritance Games is a novel chock-full of clues, puzzles, romance, and humor. Written by brilliant author Jennifer Lynn Barnes, the story starts in a small town in Connecticut. We meet protagonist Avery Grambs; a hard-working high school student ready to earn a scholarship and escape her struggles: living in her car, being ‘invisible’ at school, and dealing with her sister’s toxic boyfriend.
But her plans inevitably change when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies, leaving her his entire estate. Avery doesn’t know why he chose her as his heir; after all, he is a complete stranger to her… or is he?
As dictated in the billionaire’s will, Avery must stay at Hawthorne House in Texas until she is of age. During that time, Avery investigates the past, looking for reasons why the old man gave the entirety of his inheritance to her, a nobody from Connecticut. She is accompanied on her adventures by the four Hawthorne brothers — Tobias Hawthorne’s disinherited grandsons. While some Hawthornes hate her, some admire her, and some would prefer to simply binge on scones with her, Avery must survive in Hawthorne House until she is eighteen, and learn the truth of the past while she’s at it.
Overall, the book was great. Witty, humorous, and altogether delightful, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and the rest of the trilogy as well.
Reviewed by Teen Volunteer, 1/9/2026.