Ratings:
Star Rating: ★★★★★
If This Book Was a Movie Rating: PG
Review:
“In the past six weeks, I’d been shot at, blown up, kidnapped, and paraded around as the living, breathing embodiment of Cinderella stories. To the world, I was a scandal, a mystery, a curiosity, a fantasy.”
so I know a lot of y’all didn’t like this book, but HAH.
I LOVED THIS TWISTY, MYSTERIOUS, FRUSTRATING BOOK WITH ALL MY BOOKISH HEART.
you’re welcome :))
buddy read with le bestie Booktastically Amazing! <3
let’s start with the plot.
(the publisher’s blurb is pathetic so I’ve gotta do some writing here lol)
It’s been three weeks since Avery Grambs and the four Hawthorne brothers have solved Tobias Hawthorne’s puzzle. The grand riddle that involved Emily Laughlin, knives, and glass ballerinas, making the brothers face their past and pull their broken pieces back together.
They think the games are over.
But Tobias Hawthorne isn’t done with his grandsons.
Not by a long shot.
In Xander’s final letter, he lays out the next puzzle: Find Tobias Hawthorne II.
At first glance, it seems impossible. Everyone thinks Tobias Hawthorne II, the Hawthorne brothers’ uncle, has been dead for twenty years. But if he’s dead, why does Avery remember playing countless chess matches against him? Why does his name keep showing up in her past?
Avery and the Hawthorne brothers give in and decide to play one last time.
Can they find Tobias Hawthorne II, when Tobias Hawthorne II doesn’t want to be found?
*inhales deeply*
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
YES. A MILLION YESES. I LOVE IT ALL..
ESPECIALLY YOU GRAYSON. LOVE YOU SM. AVERY X GRAYSON FOREVER. <3
*exhales cause oxygen is a thing*
soooo we’re gonna just break my traditional review structure and just mash everything together because 1) I can’t say a lot without serious spoilers (i’m literally not joking there is SO much drama that cannot be spoiled) and 2) I have no self control when it comes to my dark, cold, businesslike Grayson Hawthorne :))
I know a lot of y’all are OfficialTeamJameson (don’t worry, we can still be friends lol) but can we just talk about Grayson for a moment.
“This was the Grayson I’d met weeks ago: dripping power and well aware that he could come out on top in any battle. He didn’t make threats, because he didn’t have to.”
“Grayson Hawthorne was arrogant enough to consider himself bulletproof—and honorable enough to see a promise through to its end.”
“Grayson was Not Pleased - and no one did Not Pleased like Grayson Hawthorne.”
I need every Grayson Hawthorne quote on my Quote Wall.
alright, alright, I’ll shut up now.
The rest of the characters (including Jamesooooon) were all really good, very enjoyable. Libby x Nash are still an absolutely adorable example of older-siblings-fall-for-each-other, Zara is still furious at Avery for inheriting everything, Skye and Ricky are still characters I’d love to punch in the face, and Xander is still brilliant and the only sane Hawthorne.
Also, Xander x Max?? wasn't expecting it, but HECK YEAH am i down for that.
The Avery/Grayson/Jameson love triangle. First off, I love the drama. Very angsty. A+. And I do kinda understand the direction that went. I get it. I really do.
BUT MY FINGERS ARE STILL CROSSED THAT OUTCOME CHANGES MS. BARNES.
anyways. now i have to wait way too many days for the Final Gambit.
*sighs sadly*
i look forward to fangirling with y’all later byeee <33
My reviews for the trilogy on Goodreads:
Friend me on Goodreads (yes, you, I wanna be your friend): https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/136268749-isabelle
Buy this book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08QHWRPJ8?ref_=dbs_m_mng_rwt_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks&qid=1634251546&sr=8-1
Recommendations If You Liked This Book:
The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (the last book!)
The Cousins by Karen McManus
"Le besty ...🥺"
Once again, I applaud the crap out of this review, dear one! And yesssss, I actually turned a little towards Team Jameson but I still cannot resist the beautiful Grayson!!