Grumpy Sunshine

Category: book reviews

  • Book Review: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

    If you’re into mysterious mansions, mind-blowing puzzles, smart girls, and flirty boys with secrets—The Inheritance Games is a total must-read.

    Avery Grambs is super smart, totally broke, and just trying to survive high school and maybe snag a scholarship. Then—plot twist—she inherits billions from a complete stranger. Sounds amazing, right? Except there’s a catch: she has to move into a creepy (but also super cool) mansion filled with puzzles, riddles… and four Hawthorne brothers who definitely aren’t thrilled she just stole their future.

    Let the games begin. 😏

    This book is soooo fun and totally addictive. Even though the whole “randomly-inherited-billions-at-17” thing feels unreal, the story actually makes sense. The clues and twists are really well thought out, and the plot keeps you guessing. I loved that the chapters are short (like 2–10 pages), so it’s fast-paced and never drags.

    The characters—especially the Hawthorne brothers—are all mysterious and charming in different ways. There’s drama, clever banter, and just enough flirting to keep things interesting without it taking over the story.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 12+ — there’s a little bit of talk about death and family stuff (like abandonment or emotional abuse), but it’s not graphic or too heavy. No swearing, no steam, just one or two sweet kisses

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5 stars. I loved everything—puzzle solving, plot twists, clever writing, and fun character dynamics. It kept me hooked from the very beginning.

    📚 If you like mystery with a side of romance and brainy main characters, you’ll totally love this. Similar authors: Holly Jackson (A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder), Karen McManus (One of Us Is Lying), and Lynn Painter (Better Than the Movies) — if you want more romance with smart girls!

    Also by Jennifer Lynn Barnes:

    Book 2 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 3 of the Inheritance Games series

    Book 4 of the Inheritance Games series

  • Book Review: Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

    Every Summer After by Canadian author Carley Fortune is a beautifully written summer romance with a mix of youthful memories and grown-up feelings. It’s a book about first love, second chances, and the people who shape who we become.

    The main character, Persephone “Percy” Fraser, spends her summers in Barry’s Bay, where her parents bought a cottage when she was 13. Right next door lives Sam Florek, a boy her age who quickly becomes her best friend—and more. For six summers, Percy and Sam are inseparable. But after one summer ends everything, Percy stays away for over a decade… until she’s called back to Barry’s Bay when Sam’s mother passes away.

    What makes this book so special is the way it’s written. Half the story takes place in the past, when Percy and Sam are teens falling in love, and the other half is in the present, where they’re 30 and dealing with everything that happened between them. The time jumps are super well done—you really feel like you’re growing up with them.

    Carley Fortune’s writing is emotional and vivid. You can picture the lake, the cottage, and the hot summer days. While there were a few slower parts, the story picks back up and holds your attention the whole way through.

    🔞 Recommended for ages 14+ due to mild mature themes and emotional depth. Even though the characters are 30 in the present, most of the story is about their teen years and the drama that follows them into adulthood.

    ⭐ My rating: 5/5. I loved the Canadian setting, the realistic characters, and the mix of summer nostalgia and emotional healing. If you like FMC stories and second-chance summer romances, this one is perfect.

    📚 If you liked Mr. Wrong Number or Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, or The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy (another Canadian!), you’ll probably love this.

    Also by Carley Fortune: