The Final Gambit

I'm 100% Team Grayson, and I so hope we get another book in this universe! This engrossing, page-turning finale to the YA mystery series cements its place as one of the great YA series. It has non-stop action, smoldering feelings and a love triangle as Avery is torn between two brothers.

Jameson Hawthorne said it best when he said that his grandfather set "traps upon traps. And riddles upon riddles." This book continues the cat-and-mouse games of riddles and puzzles readers came to expect from the other books.

Avery faces her most dangerous opponent yet when prodigal son Toby Hawthorne gets kidnapped. Luckily, Avery has the four handsome, smart Hawthorne brothers to help her solve the puzzles the kidnapper sets for her. She just has to show more keep herself from getting too distracted by her romance with Jameson Hawthorne and her lingering feelings for troubled brother Grayson. This book sees Avery getting closer to solving the mystery of why she was chosen as heir to a $40-something billion fortune from a stranger. It's not as random as she once thought, as Avery discovers Hawthorne connections she never dreamed of.

Romantic entanglements and double-crossing relatives provide tension. Avery's overall goodness is given several moments to shine through, and as she grows closer to the Hawthorne brothers, it's interesting to see them more allies as than adversaries.

This book left me hoping for more spin-offs, because I'm not ready to be done with the Hawthorne brothers! show less

Series Info/Source: This is the third book in The Inheritance Games series. I borrowed this on ebook from the library.

Thoughts: I really enjoyed this final book in The Inheritance Game trilogy. Many more secrets and puzzles are revealed.

Avery and the Hawthrone brothers face a serious threat from someone powerful who does not like Hawthorne's empire and wants to see it destroyed. Avery must scramble to navigate the twisted puzzles a mysterious person keeps throwing at her while surviving attempts on her life and getting help from the Hawthorne brothers.

I continue to enjoy the crazy twisting puzzles and mysteries throughout this series. There are so many big reveals in this book and so many more family secrets unveiled. Avery grows a show more lot throughout the series and so do the Hawthorne brothers. They are all unraveling their painful pasts and learning to move past that as they work together.

This is incredibly engaging and easy to read. I read through the whole book very quickly and struggled to put it down. It's one of those books that draws you in and practically reads itself.

My Summary (5/5): Overall I really loved this whole series and would recommend it to those who enjoy contemporary YA reads. The puzzles and mystery are really the features of the story but the characters are intriguing and very well done and there's a bit of a love story as well. Highly recommended! show less

4.5 Stars

What a satisfying ending to this trilogy!

This book delivered exactly what I hoped for — a fast-paced, riddle-filled adventure that had me holding my breath until chapter 72. The twists were unpredictable, and the conclusion was just perfect for me.

There’s even a quote on page 298 that made me ridiculously happy! 🫶🏻

The only reason I gave it 4.5 instead of 5 stars is that I believe one of the brothers deserved a better ending. I felt so many emotions for him.

Also — bonus points — the Barnes & Noble exclusive edition contains a hilarious short story featuring all four brothers. It genuinely made me laugh out loud.

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse show more cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No show less

In book #3 of the Inheritance Games series, Avery is nearing the end of her required year of residence in Hawthorne House. We're introduced to a couple new "players" and as in previous books, this throws Avery and the Hawthorne brothers into a tailspin.

More secrets, more puzzles. I've been flying through this series basically because it's FUN. Somehow Barnes continues to introduce more twists and turns, mostly unexpected, and I'm here for it. Is Avery a believable, realistic 18-year-old? No, not really, but I choose to go with it. However, I honestly didn't really care for the ending -- I thought it wrapped up way too neatly. That was my biggest complaint with this one. This is the conclusion of the main trilogy. There is a book #4 show more that continues the saga, which apparently is told from the varying points of view of brothers Greyson and Jameson (as apposed to Avery's POV in the main books). I will probably read it just because, though I suspect I may be disappointed in that one, based on reviews I've seen that state it is an unnecessary add-on to the series. I still would love to see this series adapted to the big screen. show less

Was this series perfect? No. Do I care? Not particularly. I can't remember the last time I had this much unabashed fun reading a series. This trilogy was pure escapism and I had such a great time reading it throughout. I buddy-read it too, which I highly recommend because it's so much fun to bounce theories off a friend.

I'm still #TeamGrayson though and I'm unashamed of that.

Traps upon traps and riddles upon riddles. Avery’s life inside the Hawthorne mansion is quickly coming to an end - a few weeks stand between her and the $30 billion inheritance that Tobias Hawthorne left her. But when a stranger shows up, a wrench is thrown into the plan. The Hawthorne boys and Avery are left with one last game that could destroy everything, leaving her life in a lurch. However, she does what she’s done all along, play the game and twists and turns meet her every play. This book was so good and a great wrap up to the series. However, I know need to know what happens next as there’s a bit of an open door for a new book. I was very happy with Avery’s ending and loved what ends up happening!

“The only person I trust with all that I am and all that could be, Heiress, is you.”

-5 stars-

Tropes:
-Billionaire
-Love triangle
-Miscommunication
-Absent parent
-Fameee

Spice:
1/5

Yup yup yup!
This book totally lived up to my expectations! It was really well written to (kinda) finish off the series! I really liked the progression of this book and also really appreciated the romance that was brought into this book.
The Hawthorne boys are (still) cute af! Can't get over their cute drawls and their sweet personalities. After reading this book, I've come to the conclusion that either Zander or Nash is my favorite brother. I love Zander, because of his brainy personality and his quirks. Also he's literally so funny, and I can't get enough of show more his jokes. I quite like Nash, because he's so sweet to everyone (extra more to Libby!)
I don't even need to say anything about the writing and plot of this book, because everyone already knows it's amazingly written and the plot is so easy to read.
Overall I feel like the book has been a great book to kind of finish off the series and I absolutely love everything about this book!
HIGHLY recommend!

“'I don't do vulnerable,' Thea retorted. 'It clashes with my bitch aesthetic.'” show less