Chapter Index
    Cover of The Brothers Hawthorne
    MysteryRomance NovelThrillerYoung Adult

    The Brothers Hawthorne

    by Barnes, Jennifer Lynn
    “The Brothers Hawthorne” by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a spin-off from “The Inheritance Games” trilogy, focusing on the Hawthorne brothers, Grayson and Jameson. The novel follows their separate yet intertwined journeys as they navigate complex family dynamics and high-stakes challenges. Grayson steps in to protect his half-sisters from trouble, while Jameson and Avery Grambs (the heir to their grandfather’s fortune) embark on a twisted game in Europe. Themes of family loyalty, gender, and class dynamics are explored as the brothers confront their identities and sacrifices. The book blends mystery and suspense, continuing the series’ legacy of intricate puzzles and emotional depth.

    In Chap­ter 20, Grayson engages in a tense yet reveal­ing con­ver­sa­tion with Aca­cia, his late father’s wife, in the kitchen of her home. Aca­cia, a mater­nal fig­ure with a qui­et strength, dis­clos­es that she learned about Grayson’s exis­tence 22 months ago, on the day of her mother’s funer­al. Grayson, wary of dis­rupt­ing her fam­i­ly, assures her he has no such inten­tions. The dia­logue hints at past betray­als, includ­ing Sheffield Grayson’s affair with Grayson’s moth­er, and Acacia’s sur­pris­ing lack of resent­ment toward Grayson despite the cir­cum­stances.

    The con­ver­sa­tion delves into the com­plex­i­ties of fam­i­ly dynam­ics, par­tic­u­lar­ly how Acacia’s daugh­ters, Savan­nah and Gigi, have been affect­ed by Sheffield’s actions. Aca­cia reveals that Savan­nah, who idol­ized her father, has known about Grayson since she was 14, while Gigi remains unaware. Grayson sens­es Acacia’s pain but also her resilience, as she refus­es to blame him for his father’s mis­takes. The dis­cus­sion touch­es on Sheffield’s finan­cial depen­dence on Acacia’s fam­i­ly, con­tra­dict­ing his self-made image, and Grayson begins to see Aca­cia as a com­pas­sion­ate yet for­mi­da­ble fig­ure.

    Grayson probes fur­ther, ask­ing about recent vis­its from “gen­tle­men in suits,” hint­ing at poten­tial legal or finan­cial trou­bles. Aca­cia deflects, but Grayson’s con­cern sug­gests deep­er lay­ers to the family’s strug­gles. The chap­ter also explores Savannah’s rela­tion­ship with her father, reveal­ing how she sought his approval through bas­ket­ball, a con­nec­tion to Sheffield’s late nephew, Col­in. Aca­cia implies that Savan­nah may judge her for stay­ing with Sheffield after learn­ing of his infi­deli­ty, but she asserts her strength, refus­ing to be seen as weak.

    The chap­ter con­cludes with Gigi’s abrupt inter­rup­tion, light­en­ing the mood as she announces a par­ty and ref­er­ences “step neg­a­tive one,” sig­nal­ing the end of the seri­ous con­ver­sa­tion. Grayson and Aca­cia share a silent under­stand­ing, their heart-to-heart over for now. The inter­ac­tion leaves Grayson with a nuanced view of Aca­cia and the family’s tan­gled his­to­ry, set­ting the stage for fur­ther explo­ration of their rela­tion­ships and unre­solved ten­sions.

    FAQs

    • 1. How did Acacia discover Grayson’s existence, and what does this reveal about her relationship with her late husband?

      Answer:
      Acacia learned about Grayson’s existence on the day of her mother’s funeral twenty-two months prior to the conversation (p. 94). This timing suggests Sheffield Grayson deliberately chose a moment of vulnerability to disclose his affair and illegitimate child, highlighting his emotional manipulation. Acacia’s reaction—expressing regret for not knowing sooner to “influence Sheff to do the right thing”—reveals her moral compass and the power imbalance in their marriage. Her comment about her mother likely confronting Sheffield (“affairs were one thing, but… be discreet”) further underscores the family’s tolerance of infidelity but not public scandal (p. 95).

      2. Analyze the significance of Savannah’s basketball skills in her relationship with her father. How does this connect to broader themes in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Savannah’s basketball prowess (noted since age five) served as a way to bond with her father, who valued the sport due to his college career and his deceased nephew Colin’s legacy (p. 96). Acacia implies Savannah consciously cultivated this connection to compensate for Gigi’s natural charm and resemblance to Colin, which earned her more attention. This dynamic reflects themes of performance and conditional love within the family, as well as the lingering shadow of Colin’s death. Grayson recognizes this as Savannah letting Sheffield “recapture” his lost hopes through her achievements (p. 96), tying into the chapter’s exploration of inherited trauma and familial expectations.

      3. Why does Grayson strategically bring up the “gentlemen in suits” during his conversation with Acacia, and how does she respond?

      Answer:
      Grayson mentions Gigi’s comment about “gentlemen in suits” visiting (p. 96) as a deliberate non sequitur to catch Acacia off guard, minimizing her ability to fabricate a response—a tactic reflecting his analytical nature. Her immediate denial (“Gigi is mistaken”) and Grayson’s offer of help (“If you need anything…”) suggest underlying tension or secrets (p. 97). This exchange underscores Grayson’s investigative approach to the family and Acacia’s protective instincts, possibly hinting at financial or legal troubles tied to Sheffield’s past. The abrupt end to their conversation when Gigi interrupts further implies Acacia is avoiding scrutiny.

      4. Evaluate Acacia’s statement, “I would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.” How does this contrast with other characters’ perspectives in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Acacia’s assertion (p. 94) reflects her empathy and separates her from the cycle of blame in the family. Unlike Savannah, who likely resents Grayson as proof of her father’s betrayal, or Sheffield, who harbored vengeance against the Hawthornes for Colin’s death, Acacia refuses to project adult conflicts onto children. Grayson notes her “maternal” demeanor (p. 95), contrasting her with his own mother, Skye, whose absence is a “wound.” This statement also foreshadows potential conflict with Savannah, who Acacia predicts will view her staying with Sheffield as “weak” (p. 96), showing generational divides in accountability.

      5. What does the chapter reveal about the financial foundations of Sheffield Grayson’s success, and why is this significant for Grayson’s understanding of his father?

      Answer:
      Acacia discloses that Sheffield’s ventures were funded by her family’s money, contradicting his self-made image (p. 95). This revelation forces Grayson to reassess his father’s narrative of independence and success, possibly feeling deceived. The detail that Acacia’s mother may have issued “pointed threats” to Sheffield about his affair with Skye Hawthorne (p. 95) further exposes his dependency on his in-laws’ wealth and reputation. For Grayson, this undermines Sheffield’s authority and reframes their past interactions—his father’s pride in being “self-made” was a facade, deepening the emotional betrayal.

    Quotes

    • 1. “I would like to believe that I’m the kind of person who would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.”

      Acacia expresses her moral stance toward Grayson, revealing her compassionate nature despite the painful circumstances of his existence as the product of her husband’s affair. This quote establishes the chapter’s central theme of forgiveness and the complexity of familial bonds.

      2. “Twenty-two months ago, Sheffield Grayson had still been alive—and so had the old man. Who would tell a grieving daughter something like that on the day she buries her mother?”

      Grayson’s internal reflection highlights the cruelty of timing in revealing family secrets, emphasizing the emotional weight of his discovery and the callousness of those who withheld this information from Acacia.

      3. “Savannah lived to make Sheff proud… Between the resemblance and Gigi being such a cheerful little thing, she had Sheff wrapped around her finger from day one. Savannah always seemed keenly aware of that, even as a baby.”

      This insight into Savannah’s childhood motivations explains her current hostility toward Grayson, revealing how sibling dynamics and parental favoritism shaped her personality and relationship with her father.

      4. “Savannah is going to judge me for staying with her father once I knew. To her, that will seem weak. But I assure you, I am not.”

      Acacia’s defiant statement showcases her strength in choosing forgiveness while acknowledging how her daughter might perceive this choice, adding depth to both characters and their conflicting perspectives on family loyalty.

      5. “If you want to get to know the girls, Grayson, I won’t stop you… You’re welcome here, Grayson. For as long as you want.”

      Acacia’s unexpected acceptance of Grayson represents a turning point in their interaction, offering him something he never expected - a place in the family, which contrasts sharply with Savannah’s likely reaction.

    Quotes

    1. “I would like to believe that I’m the kind of person who would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.”

    Acacia expresses her moral stance toward Grayson, revealing her compassionate nature despite the painful circumstances of his existence as the product of her husband’s affair. This quote establishes the chapter’s central theme of forgiveness and the complexity of familial bonds.

    2. “Twenty-two months ago, Sheffield Grayson had still been alive—and so had the old man. Who would tell a grieving daughter something like that on the day she buries her mother?”

    Grayson’s internal reflection highlights the cruelty of timing in revealing family secrets, emphasizing the emotional weight of his discovery and the callousness of those who withheld this information from Acacia.

    3. “Savannah lived to make Sheff proud… Between the resemblance and Gigi being such a cheerful little thing, she had Sheff wrapped around her finger from day one. Savannah always seemed keenly aware of that, even as a baby.”

    This insight into Savannah’s childhood motivations explains her current hostility toward Grayson, revealing how sibling dynamics and parental favoritism shaped her personality and relationship with her father.

    4. “Savannah is going to judge me for staying with her father once I knew. To her, that will seem weak. But I assure you, I am not.”

    Acacia’s defiant statement showcases her strength in choosing forgiveness while acknowledging how her daughter might perceive this choice, adding depth to both characters and their conflicting perspectives on family loyalty.

    5. “If you want to get to know the girls, Grayson, I won’t stop you… You’re welcome here, Grayson. For as long as you want.”

    Acacia’s unexpected acceptance of Grayson represents a turning point in their interaction, offering him something he never expected - a place in the family, which contrasts sharply with Savannah’s likely reaction.

    FAQs

    1. How did Acacia discover Grayson’s existence, and what does this reveal about her relationship with her late husband?

    Answer:
    Acacia learned about Grayson’s existence on the day of her mother’s funeral twenty-two months prior to the conversation (p. 94). This timing suggests Sheffield Grayson deliberately chose a moment of vulnerability to disclose his affair and illegitimate child, highlighting his emotional manipulation. Acacia’s reaction—expressing regret for not knowing sooner to “influence Sheff to do the right thing”—reveals her moral compass and the power imbalance in their marriage. Her comment about her mother likely confronting Sheffield (“affairs were one thing, but… be discreet”) further underscores the family’s tolerance of infidelity but not public scandal (p. 95).

    2. Analyze the significance of Savannah’s basketball skills in her relationship with her father. How does this connect to broader themes in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Savannah’s basketball prowess (noted since age five) served as a way to bond with her father, who valued the sport due to his college career and his deceased nephew Colin’s legacy (p. 96). Acacia implies Savannah consciously cultivated this connection to compensate for Gigi’s natural charm and resemblance to Colin, which earned her more attention. This dynamic reflects themes of performance and conditional love within the family, as well as the lingering shadow of Colin’s death. Grayson recognizes this as Savannah letting Sheffield “recapture” his lost hopes through her achievements (p. 96), tying into the chapter’s exploration of inherited trauma and familial expectations.

    3. Why does Grayson strategically bring up the “gentlemen in suits” during his conversation with Acacia, and how does she respond?

    Answer:
    Grayson mentions Gigi’s comment about “gentlemen in suits” visiting (p. 96) as a deliberate non sequitur to catch Acacia off guard, minimizing her ability to fabricate a response—a tactic reflecting his analytical nature. Her immediate denial (“Gigi is mistaken”) and Grayson’s offer of help (“If you need anything…”) suggest underlying tension or secrets (p. 97). This exchange underscores Grayson’s investigative approach to the family and Acacia’s protective instincts, possibly hinting at financial or legal troubles tied to Sheffield’s past. The abrupt end to their conversation when Gigi interrupts further implies Acacia is avoiding scrutiny.

    4. Evaluate Acacia’s statement, “I would never hold a child responsible for the actions of his parents.” How does this contrast with other characters’ perspectives in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Acacia’s assertion (p. 94) reflects her empathy and separates her from the cycle of blame in the family. Unlike Savannah, who likely resents Grayson as proof of her father’s betrayal, or Sheffield, who harbored vengeance against the Hawthornes for Colin’s death, Acacia refuses to project adult conflicts onto children. Grayson notes her “maternal” demeanor (p. 95), contrasting her with his own mother, Skye, whose absence is a “wound.” This statement also foreshadows potential conflict with Savannah, who Acacia predicts will view her staying with Sheffield as “weak” (p. 96), showing generational divides in accountability.

    5. What does the chapter reveal about the financial foundations of Sheffield Grayson’s success, and why is this significant for Grayson’s understanding of his father?

    Answer:
    Acacia discloses that Sheffield’s ventures were funded by her family’s money, contradicting his self-made image (p. 95). This revelation forces Grayson to reassess his father’s narrative of independence and success, possibly feeling deceived. The detail that Acacia’s mother may have issued “pointed threats” to Sheffield about his affair with Skye Hawthorne (p. 95) further exposes his dependency on his in-laws’ wealth and reputation. For Grayson, this undermines Sheffield’s authority and reframes their past interactions—his father’s pride in being “self-made” was a facade, deepening the emotional betrayal.

    Note