The Hawthorne Legacy Audiobook – The Inheritance Games, Book 2

Last Saturday morning, with a gentle Portland rain tapping my window and a mug of chai warming my hands, I pressed play on “The Hawthorne Legacy” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes—eager to lose myself in a mystery that promised twists as winding as the Willamette. Having devoured “The Inheritance Games,” my curiosity was already stoked for more of Avery Grambs’ puzzle-strewn world, but I wasn’t prepared for just how tightly this sequel would grip me.

From the very start, I found myself empathizing deeply with Avery. There’s something universally relatable about her feeling out-of-place amidst unimaginable wealth—a sudden outsider thrust into family intrigue and secrets that seem to multiply every time she finds an answer. As someone who’s always felt most at home listening rather than speaking (especially in new or intimidating settings), I understood her cautious navigation through the glittering halls and sharp-tongued relatives of Hawthorne House.

Barnes’ knack for weaving complex riddles had me piecing together clues right alongside Avery; at times, I’d pause playback just to scribble down possibilities like some amateur detective. What really resonated, though, was the story’s heart—the way it balances high-stakes adventure with emotional uncertainty: Who can you trust when everything is up for grabs? Is blood thicker than chosen bonds? Those questions lingered long after each listening session.

Christie Moreau brings so much energy and nuance to her narration; she captures both Avery’s vulnerability and determination beautifully. The supporting characters—especially Grayson and Jameson—felt distinct (and deliciously complicated) in Moreau’s hands. While some reviews mention inconsistencies in the Southern accents (and yes, there were moments where they pulled me out just a touch), overall the performance enhanced the drama without overshadowing it.

What stood out most are the book’s themes of identity—not just genetic or inherited, but forged through choices under pressure—and the thrill of unraveling layered mysteries where nothing is what it first seems. The story dives into heavy territory: loss, betrayal, even threats to Avery’s life; yet Barnes tempers these darker elements with moments of humor and glimmers of hope that kept things from ever feeling too bleak.

On the downside? At times the plot hurtled forward so quickly—with reveal upon reveal—that I found myself wishing for a brief pause to breathe alongside Avery herself! A few secondary characters didn’t feel quite as developed as our central trio—but given this is part two in a series built on cliffhangers and shifting alliances, perhaps that open-endedness is intentional.

By sunset on Sunday (yes—I binged this one), I was left thoroughly satisfied but also hungry for more Hawthorne puzzles still unsolved. For anyone who craves audiobooks brimming with clever twists and emotional stakes—and who enjoys that heady mix of romance amid danger—“The Hawthorne Legacy” delivers big time.