Recent Reads: Forty Love: A Novel by Jane Costello

Source: From the Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review. 

Forty Love: A Novel by Jane Costello

Publisher: Zibby Publishing
Publication Date:  May 19, 2026

 

Format: Ebook/Audio - bought on Audible 

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

A fun, sexy rom-com about learning to take big swings, discovering new passions, filling an empty nest, and maybe another shot at love.

Jules has lived next door to the local tennis club for years without picking up a racket. As a full-time buyer for a national chain of lifestyle stores and a single, widowed mother of a teenager, she doesn’t have time for a hobby. And then, there is the matter of that run-in with her old school crush, Sam, who recently joined the club.

In a surge of boldness, Jules decides to stop playing it safe and accepts an invitation to join the amateur tennis team. Soon enough, she has fully embraced the tennis life and finds herself loving the game and her teammates, but that’s not all. Her intense attraction to Sam is gaining an advantage over her. Now Jules is facing a whole new kind of match with her insecurities, her desires, and maybe—just maybe—a second shot at love. And boy, does it have some spin on it.

Review: 

Forty Love is a romance about a single mom in her forties navigating her daughter doing off to college, how to approach dating and love after the death of her husband, and tennis. Jules has had a great life, raised a daughter, love her husband and now she is in transition. 

I am forty now but whenever I read a book about a woman in her 40s, I just feel like we are so completely different. Jules is a mom and approaches her life with structure and hesitation. I, on the other hand, am not a parent and live like a grown child for the most part. I still have obligations, worries, and work, but sometimes I just cannot connect with these on-page women. I think that was the issue for me here. 

I enjoyed the book, it was a cute, slow, romance that was calm and safe. I think a lot of women will love reading about Jules and her transitions and trying to figure out life on her own again. Jules was realistic in a lot of ways and her worries and grief feel like their own character in the book as well. So there was a lot of emotional depth that I appreciated. 

I listened to this on Audible and think that if I was reading it would have set it down. It was slow, cozy, and a good romance but even at the climaxes I kind of jest felt meh. I think this book will be a fit for many, it just wasn’t me and that is ok. 

Recent Reads: Wild Side by Elsie Silver

Wild Side by Elsie Silver 
Series: Rose Hill #2
Publisher: Lyric Audiobooks
Publication Date:  March 4, 2025

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought/ Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

I’d always dreamed of my wedding day. But not like this. Not looking into the eyes of the man who betrayed me.

But when my nephew’s guardianship is contested, I decide I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him in Rose Hill. Even if it means marrying the enemy.

Rhys Dupris.

A man who is secretive, broody, and completely infuriating. A man whose work takes him away for weeks on end and brings him back covered in mysterious bruises—ones he won’t talk about. In fact, we barely talk at all.

Which would be fine, except when he’s not talking, he’s staring. And the way he looks at me is borderline indecent.

The tension between us has always been palpable. But living under the same roof is a dangerous temptation.

I swore I would never forgive him. But that was before I knew the man behind the mask. The one who’s fierce and protective. The one who’s gentle and patient. The one who shows up for us when we need him most.

He’s not at all who I thought he was.

And that makes hating my husband so much harder… and loving him just a little too easy.

Review: 

I have loved this series so far, and upon adding this book to my read list realized there was another one coming (score!).

The characters in these books feel so realistic, except that all the men and women are hot. They all have their emotional damage for various reasons and they work through some of it in these books, all while finding love.  They also all involve kids in various circumstances as well. 

In this installment, Rhys and Tabitha are vying for custody over her nephew Mico after her sisters passing. Tabitha is his aunt, but Rhys was named in the will. In the initial chapters, it was really hard to read - so emotional. Tabitha is angry at herself, at her sister, and she is confused. Rhys is quiet and not sure how to react to Tabitha. 

This one is enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake marriage and a lot of banter. Once they hit it off it is spicy and it all comes together so beautifully. 

Blog Tour: Audiobook Review - Heir of the Beast by F.R. Black

Heir of the Beast by F.R. Black 

Series: Fairy Godmother Inc. Series #1

Publication Date:  June 3, 2024

 

Purchase Link

About the Book: 

"All you must do is sign on the dotted line, and all your romantic dreams will come true," the Fairy Godmother says with a twinkle in her eye.

This is what happens when you do not read the fine print in a very detailed contract. You miss all the things that are immediate deal breakers.

Viola, a proud resident of New Orleans, lives on the top floor of an old Victorian mansion on a very normal street. But normal is no longer a word she can use to describe her life since signing the official contract of Fairy Godmother Inc. They forgot to tell her that she would be competing against other women in a very dangerous game. A game where she would be thrust into an alien world for the mere hope of catching the dashing Prince's heart.

And let me say this: this prince is one hot alpha male with a serious attitude problem. We do not get along, save for the fact that he can turn my insides to mush with one look. But the silver lining here is that you can have a happily-ever-after if you survive. You can't fall in love if you're dead. It tends to spoil the romance.

 

Rating:

Review: 

This audiobook was an absolute ride, made even better by the dual narration. Having a male voice for Apollo was a fantastic touch, adding depth to his broody, god-like presence. The story follows Viola, whose life on Earth is far from glamorous—until Fairy Godmother Inc. offers her an escape and a mission: assume a new identity, travel to another world, and win the heart of a prince to maintain the balance of good and evil in the universe.

Viola’s journey is anything but predictable. Sent as a slave with a mysterious past, she quickly finds herself entangled with Apollo—a dark, brooding, and irresistible force. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic was thrilling, the sexual tension was palpable, and when things heated up, they really heated up. The steamy scenes were top-tier, making this a swoon-worthy read.

That said, the pacing was a bit uneven. Around the halfway mark, it felt like the story was reaching its climax—only to push forward into an entirely new arc. Viola’s kidnapping and auction into the sex trade introduced a new layer of darkness, including a brooding pirate that added to the tension. While the twists were somewhat predictable, it was still frustrating waiting for Viola to catch up. That being said, she was a strong and determined protagonist, even if her stubbornness occasionally slowed her down.

A special shoutout to Mort, the comedic relief, who was an absolute delight throughout. Overall, this book was fast-paced, fun, and deliciously steamy, making it a great pick for fans of sci-fi romance with high stakes and sizzling chemistry.

About the Author:

F.R. Black is the author of the FAIRY GODMOTHER INC SERIES. She is a hopeless romantic and fantasy enthusiast based in the beautiful state of Colorado. When she's not whisking readers away to mystical realms filled with passionate romance, you can find her indulging in her favorite hobbies – reading with a glass of wine in hand and hanging out with her wacky family.

As a die-hard romance lover, F.R. Black's writing is heavily influenced by her readers, who inspire her to create immersive worlds and swoon-worthy love stories. Her books are full of thrilling adventures, heart-melting romances, and a healthy dose of humor.

When F.R. Black isn't penning her next enchanting novel, you might catch her daydreaming about castles and dashing heroes or searching for the perfect recipe for chocolate chip cookies. Her true passion for storytelling shines through in every word, and her books are guaranteed to transport you to a world of enchantment and blissful romance.

With a flair for drama and a lovable quirkiness, F.R. Black is a force to be reckoned with in the world of romance fantasy. So grab a copy of her latest novel, pour yourself a glass of wine, and get ready to fall head over heels in love with her captivating tales.

Find the Author

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Recent Reads: Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey

Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey 

Publisher: Crown

Publication Date:  October 20, 2020

 

Format: Audioboon
Source: Bought/Own from Audible

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

From the Academy Award®–winning actor, an unconventional memoir filled with raucous stories, outlaw wisdom, and lessons learned the hard way about living with greater satisfaction.

I’ve been in this life for fifty years, been trying to work out its riddle for forty-two, and been keeping diaries of clues to that riddle for the last thirty-five. Notes about successes and failures, joys and sorrows, things that made me marvel, and things that made me laugh out loud. How to be fair. How to have less stress. How to have fun. How to hurt people less. How to get hurt less. How to be a good man. How to have meaning in life. How to be more me.

Recently, I worked up the courage to sit down with those diaries. I found stories I experienced, lessons I learned and forgot, poems, prayers, prescriptions, beliefs about what matters, some great photographs, and a whole bunch of bumper stickers. I found a reliable theme, an approach to living that gave me more satisfaction, at the time, and still: If you know how, and when, to deal with life’s challenges - how to get relative with the inevitable - you can enjoy a state of success I call “catching greenlights.”

So I took a one-way ticket to the desert and wrote this book: an album, a record, a story of my life so far. This is fifty years of my sights and seens, felts and figured-outs, cools and shamefuls. Graces, truths, and beauties of brutality. Getting away withs, getting caughts, and getting wets while trying to dance between the raindrops.

Hopefully, it’s medicine that tastes good, a couple of aspirin instead of the infirmary, a spaceship to Mars without needing your pilot’s license, going to church without having to be born again, and laughing through the tears.

It’s a love letter. To life.

It’s also a guide to catching more greenlights - and to realizing that the yellows and reds eventually turn green too.

Good luck.

Review: 

This was Matthew McConaughey's book about his life so far. I listened to it with my partner on the way to work. It is read by the author, which made it more enjoyable. 

He seems so human from this book, it was refreshing but he is also well-off now so some of his 'bumper-sticker' moments and 'proclamations' were a bit meh for those of us in the non-well off categories. 

Overall, this was a fun listen though. Matthew talks about his life, growing up, what he learned along the way and his adventure to becoming who he is as an actor. I found him funny and relatable at times, and you can really sense that he loves life and lives it to the fullest at every opportunity. He is an interesting man, a pro bull-shitter, and so passionate.  "Greenlights" were his move forward moments in life, leading him and guiding him along. I loved that this was the view point he had. 

I loved that he told his story. I appreciate that some of his best lines were improved and that he tried to be the characters wholeheartedly, even to his detriment at times. He found his dream in more ways that one and that was a fun journey to go on him with.

All that said, I would have liked less proclamation and bumper sticker moments. 1. because he often yelled them in the audio and it was a lot and 2. because sometimes they were just not obtainable things for 'normal' non-famous people. If you already like Matthew in movies and his weird vibe, I think you will enjoy this one and I do recommend the audio version.

Recent Reads: The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Source: From Netgalley and the publisher in exhange for an honest review. This in no way alters my opinion or review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins 

Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date:  January 9, 2024

 

Format: Ebook from publisher / Audiobook borrowed from library


Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.

But to everyone’s surprise, Cam wants little to do with the house or the money—and even less to do with the surviving McTavishes. Instead, he rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past.

Ten years later, Camden is a McTavish in name only, but a summons in the wake of his uncle’s death brings him and Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House. Its views are just as stunning as ever, its rooms just as elegant, but coming home reminds Cam why he was so quick to leave in the first place.

Jules, however, has other ideas, and the more she learns about Cam’s estranged family—and the twisted secrets they keep—the more determined she is for her husband to claim everything Ruby once intended for him to have.

But Ruby’s plans were always more complicated than they appeared. As Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what’s written in a will—and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

Review: 

I received this book and sadly it took far too long for it to make its way onto my TBR list. Rachel Hawkins sets a brilliant stage for mystery, intrigue, secrets, and lies with this family. 

Rudy is shrouded in mystery throughout this book, she was kidnapped when she was young and eventually returned. She has been married four times, but sadly all of the have passed away in some pretty freak accidents. Finally, instead of leaving her wealth to her sister, she decided to adopt a little boy and he, Camden, was left with a fortune when she finally passed away. 

There was so much going on in this book, partially  about Rudy and her like through letters, it also follows Camden and Jules. Camden inherited all this money but just lets the rest of the McTavish's use it and still live in the mansion while he pretends that this horrible family that never accepted him don't exist. 

There was so much going on throughout this mystery. Between Cam and Jules, and all the other family members and then Ruby and her story. I loved Ruby's letters they were so good. Ruby was strong, sadly for all the wrong reasons, but she was also determined and independent and often sarcastic and unreliable.

Jules is also a POV, she is telling her story as she hopes for Cam to settle here. She yearns for the life they could have with this money. Cam feels scandalized by this family most of the time, they are rude, mean and so unaccepting, but he holds the cards to them having anything and staying in the house. Sadly, he just lets them live because he is far nicer than all of them. 

This was a crazy, exciting, read and it kept my head spinning the whole time. If you like mysteries, secrets, lies and a dose of murder, this could be a great read for you. 

Recent Reads: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson

The Last Line by Stephen Ronson  

Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date:  November 16, 2023 

 

Format: Audible Audiobook
Source: Bought/Own

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

THE LAST LINE is a blistering action thriller combined with a smart noir mystery, played out expertly against the taut backdrop of the British home front.

'John Cook is the Jack Reacher of 1940s Britain' Damien Lewis

May 1940.

With Nazi forces sweeping across France, invasion seems imminent. The English Channel has never felt so narrow.

In rural Sussex, war veteran John Cook has been tasked with preparing the resistance effort, should the worst happen.

But even as the foreign threat looms, it's rumours of a missing child that are troubling Cook. A twelve-year-old girl was evacuated from London and never seen again, and she's just the tip of the iceberg - countless evacuees haven't made it to their host families.

As Cook investigates, he uncovers a dark conspiracy that reaches to the highest ranks of society. He will do whatever it takes to make the culprits pay. There are some lines you just don't cross.

Review: 

A historical fiction, thriller with an English setting - Reacher meets WWII.

This was an action-packed read with a few plot lines to follow along with. 

• Plot 1 - John Cook is ex-military but Germany is about to cross the English Channel and he is a last line of defense. 
• Plot 2- a murder mystery
• Plot 3 - missing girl(s)?

There was a lot going on in this book and lots of characters too. The audio was really well done though and I enjoyed listening to the story. 

Cook, our main character, was strong but stubborn adding to the action of the story. His antics allow for a number of twits in the novel. He was determined and passionate, but also felt like a realistic character. 

Immediately finishing the audiobook, I felt like there was too much going on and that the plot was lost a bit. After sitting with it for a while and really thinking about all of the various smaller plots, I realized that all of them are connected to the war/ war efforts and so John Cook is the last line for more than just an invasion. The overall book was so quick-paced that if you aren't paying attention a reader could miss details, there was so much happening, but it all added to the build up of Cook as a dependable character. 

If you like war-time thrillers and/or determined and dangerous main characters - this book is certainly for you. 

Other thoughts - I am from the US, so a map would have been helpful (does the Hardback have a map?) 

Recent Reads: A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik

Series: The Scholomance #1
Publisher: Del Ray
Publication Date:  September 29, 2020 

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Audible

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Lesson One of the Scholomance: Learning has never been this deadly.

A Deadly Education is set at Scholomance, a school for the magically gifted where failure means certain death (for real) — until one girl, El, begins to unlock its many secrets.

There are no teachers, no holidays, and no friendships, save strategic ones. Survival is more important than any letter grade, for the school won’t allow its students to leave until they graduate… or die! The rules are deceptively simple: Don’t walk the halls alone. And beware of the monsters who lurk everywhere.

El is uniquely prepared for the school’s dangers. She may be without allies, but she possesses a dark power strong enough to level mountains and wipe out millions. It would be easy enough for El to defeat the monsters that prowl the school. The problem? Her powerful dark magic might also kill all the other students.

Review: 

It took me far too long to grab this book and I am loving this series so far.

At the Scholomance students of magic are thrown in for 4 years to survive and learn about the arcane arts. At any point monsters could and do pop out and consume their magic and mana...and them. All are gearing up toward graduation which requires mana to cast and defeat hordes of monsters lurking at the exit of the school.                                                                      

El is an outcast, junior, trying to collect mana on her own since she has no friends. This year things start to change when Orion Lake, the hero of the school starts to save her and hang around. 

I like the overall vibe of this book; it was dark and moody and El is so sarcastic and guarded that it was a great character to follow. I felt like it was a good mix between harry Potter and Hunger Games and Babel a bit with the school/languages.  requirements. 

El is determined, stubborn, a loner, awkward, but powerful, although very limited due to her status in the Scholomance. Orion was also stubborn, making them hilarious as a pair, but also strong and over the top. He was also a loner in a way although other students swooned over him for saving them and keeping them safe. I loved how the friendships built in this story, it was pretty organic in a lot of ways, acquaintances that became more, they worked as contrasts to one another in fun ways. 

The overall story was good. I really loved the world build but the climax seemed a bit lackluster to me - I am not sure why. The school of magic, the spells, and world - top notch, the monsters - so gross and wonderful. I won't spoil the overall ending, but just felt a little meh. 

That being said I really liked that there was this romance, non-romance thing happening...super slow burn ... will they /won’t they thing between Orion and El that the school and reader experiences so nicely. 

Recent Reads: The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell

The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell 

Publisher: Atria Books
Publication Date:  March 7, 2023

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought with Audible credits.

Rating:

Goodreads Synopsis: 

For six amateur bakers, competing in Bake Week is a dream come true.

When they arrive at Grafton Manor to compete, they're ready to do whatever it takes to win the ultimate The Golden Spoon.

But for the show's famous host, Betsy Martin, Bake Week is more than just a competition. Grafton Manor is her family's home and legacy - and Bake Week is her life's work. It's imperative that both continue to succeed.

But as the competition commences, things begin to go awry. At first, it's small acts of sabotage. Someone switching sugar for salt. A hob turned far too high.

But when a body is discovered, it's clear that for someone in the competition, The Golden Spoon is a prize worth killing for...

Review: 

I listened to the audiobook of this one. The audio is read by multiple readers as a full cast. I generally listen at more than 1x speed, but there was one character that sounded far too anxious and mousey for me to do that with this one which was an immediate bummer. 

The book follows six contestants on a baking show. The audiobook is read by a full cast, which is always nice for these kinds of books with multiple POVs. Betsy Martin is the grandmother of baking, like a Martha Stewart meets baking but she is feeling threatened about her show and her age and the new guy they hired to co-host with her. 

I liked the cast of characters, they played well as single characters and as a group off each other throughout the book. I found Betsy so rude and annoying all the time. She was entitled and showed it. I liked the competition aspect of the book, and it felt like watching a show to some degree, but the whole thing was predictable in a lot of ways. If I go into too much detail it will spoil it, so I won't. There was a mystery... but it wasn't necessarily the dead body from the beginning, but that was a flashy start.

Other thoughts - Lottie and Pradyumma's friendship was so cute, like mom and son and I appreciated their helping each other. (apologies for any name misspelling, I listened to the audiobook). Stella was too frantic for me and I had to slow down my listening speed to hear her properly. I liked that the reader got into her character in that way because she was anxious all the time. I didn't like Hannah, she was there for fame and would have done anything for it, which was a bit gross. I wish I had more time with Peter he seemed interesting and Gerald was weird, in a nerdy way... (which so am I) he has some OCD and perfectionist issues which were great for this setting. I wanted more of him being sneaky. 

Overall this book was ok. I liked the characters but wanted more from the mystery - it fell really short. 

Recent Reads: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 

Series: The Empyrean #1
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC 
Publication Date:  May 2, 2023 

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought with Audible credits.

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Enter the brutal and elite world of a war college for dragon riders from USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Yarros

Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general—also known as her tough-as-talons mother—has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away...because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter—like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom's protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda—because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die

Review: 

OMG THIS BOOK! 

I finished it and immediately wanted to read it again.. and again. Now we have to wait til November for book 2. I almost can't. 

I chose this book for my Fable bookclub, which includes my grandfather, it was slightly awkward because NOWHERE does anyone talk about the spice - only the romace so I figured fair game. Awkward, but he enjoyed it too, so that is good. 

This book had everything I was looking for. It was fantasy...with dragons, romance, enemies to lovers, a magic system, political intrigue, war, friendships.. it was so good. The plot follows Violet as she enters the Basgaith War College. She wanted to be a scribe but her mother, a general, is forcing her into the college. Violet as a disability that makes her more fragile and weaker than others her age, so there is a chance she won't make it. Although tensions are high, Violet is able to push herself. She is such a great character. She knows that she is different but plays to her strengths in cunning and interesting ways that will help her. She is smart and her brain makes her stronger than some. 

The relationships in this plot are about half the story. Violet finds friends before entering the college and while she is there. Her found family/friendships help her through. Then there is her sister who also roots for her from outside the college, and finally Xaden. Politics had her mother sentence his father to death, and Xaden is out for blood, what better a way than to target someone in a school where they might be killed anyway. There is so much romantic and sexual tension between Violet and Xaden it is crazy. This does boil over so be prepared for some descriptive spice. 

The other half of the plot is Violet surviving and doing everything she can to do that, with people in support of her, out to kill her, and that think she is far too weak to even be there. Violet grows so much in just this first book, it is amazing and I can't wait for more of her. 

The splicing of action with romance was fun and kept me reading.. I wanted to read it forever, through every responsibility that I had... I still want to be reading it. 

If you read it and didn't love it, but snagged that black edged first edition, let me know, I will take it off your hands gladly. Book 2 is already pre-ordered.

Recent Reads: The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes  

Series: The Inheritance Games #3
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication Date:  August 30, 2022

 

Format: Audiobook
Source: Bought on Audible with credits

Rating:


Goodreads Synopsis: 

Avery’s fortune, life, and loves are on the line in the game that everyone will be talking about.

To inherit billions, all Avery Kylie Grambs has to do is survive a few more weeks living in Hawthorne House. The paparazzi are dogging her every step. Financial pressures are building. Danger is a fact of life. And the only thing getting Avery through it all is the Hawthorne brothers. Her life is intertwined with theirs. She knows their secrets, and they know her.

But as the clock ticks down to the moment when Avery will become the richest teenager on the planet, trouble arrives in the form of a visitor who needs her help—and whose presence in Hawthorne House could change everything. It soon becomes clear that there is one last puzzle to solve, and Avery and the Hawthorne brothers are drawn into a dangerous game against an unknown and powerful player.

Secrets upon secrets. Riddles upon riddles. In this game, there are hearts and lives at stake—and there is nothing more Hawthorne than winning.

Review: 

I pre-ordered this audiobook because I have loved this series so much, sadly it took forever for me to get to it. Mostly because I wasn't feeling audiobooks for a while, but this helped break that slump.

Book 3 of the Inheritance Games is action packed, full of puzzles, riddles, and games, and made for a fun ending to the trilogy. Avery has come into her own at the Hawthorne residence and 'the boys' are accepting of her now but there are so many secrets and so much drama at every turn. Avery has to ensure that she is safe, her friends are safe, and that she has completed her time at the house in order to become the billionaire, but she can't really trust anyone. Even immediate family, read as Hawthorne family I guess, can be an issue. 

As with the other books, I loved the puzzles and games that were played. They kept the reader guessing. I would still appreciate a map of this giant estate. I could have done without a lot of the love-triangle bits between Avery, Jameson, and Grayson, but understand that swoon sells, and it was a part of the series. 

The plot was paced well with a lot of layers and weird twists and turns. Lots of secrets revealed too! It was always frustrating how underestimated Avery was and still is in this book too. I wanted more for her in that respect because she has shown again and again how capable she is and that she can keep up in this world she was thrown into.  I also would have liked to see more of an outcome for Rebecca - her mom was so UUUUGGGH and I wanted someone to slap sense into her or Rebecca to really blow up, but i felt she directed that energy badly. That being said, I really enjoyed this ending. It was bittersweet, this was such a fun series!