The Final Gambit

i first picked up this series on holiday as a poolside read... suffice to say, i got hooked from book one!!! since then, i've been waiting for the finale and i am so so glad now it's out!

i didn't go into the series knowing what to expect, having heard they were good but nothing about the actual story or changers, but i was surprised and elated that these books focused on mystery, figuring out who you are, family, friends, and love in its many many forms (not romance alone!). and the final gambit felt like a brilliant and appropriate conclusion to it all

— (if i had to criticise, do i wish we had more time seeing some of the relationships develop... nash and libby, avery and nash and ALL the hawthornes together, avery and toby...? absolutely. but this comes from a place of love for the characters and more curiosity about their worlds and lives. i couldve kept reading for hours getting to see the characters together, the brothers, the love triangle, avery and toby, but i was still content with the ending to the story we got)

the mystery, riddles, and games kept me hooked the whole way through - always thinking could there be more, what would it all mean, could i win the game before the book even got there? and the fact the romance in the series didn't overpower that made me happier than i can say... YES, i have both loved (and hated..) the love triangle, stolen moments, and growing relationships the whole way through but i value greatly the fact this didn't become the central theme for the final book and that we truly focused on solving the mystery and winning the game avery's way!!!! the final gambit left me wanting and wondering throughout and beaming by the end!!!

for anyone looking for a light but engaging read, one you might not even know you're looking for, i'd 100% recommend these books!!!