Family Inheritance Novels
Kirsten and I noticed that family inheritance novels have become a popular subgenre of books in the last few years. We have become a little bit obsessed. These books have it all, and I wanted to put together some of my favorites in one place.
The best thing about a family inheritance novel is that it will have DRAMA. Otherwise, there is no story to tell. These books are family drama books at their heart, but with a twist. So whether it is a romance, fiction, or mystery, you know the characters are going to be jumping through some hoops in these books.
The Best Family Inheritance Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Contemporary Fiction Family Inheritance Novel
The Family Recipe by Carolyn Huynh- Jump to Section
Best Historical Fiction Family Inheritance Novel
The Perfume Collector by Kathleen Tessaro- Jump to Section
Best Family Inheritance Mystery Novel
The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza- Jump to Section
Best Family Inheritance Romance Novel
These Summer Storms by Sarah Maclean- Jump to Section
Best Fantasy Family Inheritance Novel
\Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia- Jump to Section
Best YA Family Inheritance Novel
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Contemporary Fiction Family Inheritance Novels
Plot
Duc is the founder of a chain of sandwich shops around the country. He has 5 estranged adult children and a wife he has not seen in years. When he decides to retire, he gives conditions to his children. His four daughters must revitalize failing shops within a year, but his only son will inherit everything if he gets married. The catch? Whoever does it first wins the whole inheritance.
But the store each sibling is given unlocks bigger mysteries, and soon, everyone will learn the real reasons for this bazaar scheme and the secrets their mother and father kept hidden.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Hate Crimes
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a sibling drama, but I was not expecting to fall in love with this story so deeply. I didn’t want it to end. I loved each sibling’s journey. I loved learning the back story between Duc and Evelyn…and I craved a Bánh Mì the entire time! Gifted by Simon & Schuster & Simon & Schuster Audio
Find this book in: Sibling Books / Books About Food / Best Beach Reads 2025 / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Family Inheritance Novels
The Trust
Author: Ronald H. Balson
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: Liam Taggart & Catherine Lockhart #4
Age Range: 18+Chi
Plot
Liam Taggart returns to Northern Ireland after the death of his Uncle with whom he had not spoken in 16 years. Â His Uncle Fergus has been shot and he has left Liam as the trustee to his will with the stipulation that noone can receive anything until the killer has been found. Â
Liam finds himself drawn back into a family that he had all but left behind. There is deep history with the family and the IRA and it seems that nobody is safe. Was this a murder for money or for revenge?
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Jackie loves it
This book did not disappoint and is exactly what I hoped from Mr. Balson. You can read this story as a standalone despite it being part of a series.
Find this book in: Family Inheritance Novels
The Nest
Author: Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney
Year: 2016
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This novel takes place in modern-day New York City. The four Plumb children all had big plans for their inheritance until Leo, the oldest, uses it to get out of a sticky spot.
The siblings, all in their 40s or 50s and living separate lives from each other, begin to reconnect as they try to work their way out of the messes they have created for themselves over the years. They each had banked on the money from “the nest” bailing them out, and now the money is gone.
Trigger Warnings
Addiction, Death of a Parent
Why Kirsten loves it
This dysfunctional family was a hot mess, but I totally fell for them. Funny, poignant, and full of drama, The Nest is a perfect beach read and a must-read family drama book.
Find this book in: Family Drama Books / Family Inheritance Novels
A December to Remember
Author: Jenny Bayliss
Year: 2023
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jenny Bayliss is back with an exciting holiday book about the Winter Solstice. When Simone, Maggie, and Star, half-sisters with different moms, find out their father has died they also learn that to receive their inheritance, they must first solve a scavenger hunt and then relaunch the town’s Winter Solstice celebration.
The sisters don’t have a relationship outside of the one month each summer they all spend together with their father. Now, they are forced to work together and rebuild their sisterly bond.
Each sister is also working through something. One is a single mom facing eviction. One is struggling with infertility. And one is a bit adrift and trying to start over and settle down.
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored this holiday book about love and reconnection during the holiday season. It’s probably my favorite Christmas book for 2023. #gifted
Find this book in: Best Holiday Books / Christmas Books of 2023 / Christmas Book Club Books / Family Inheritance Novels
Historical Fiction
The Perfume Collector
Author: Kathleen Tessaro
Year: 2013
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
It is the story of a woman who receives a letter in the mail informing her that she has received an inheritance from a woman that she does not know. The book follows the lives of the two woman in a wonderful way that moves seamlessly back and forth between two time periods before the stories come together.
Trigger Warnings
Infidelity, Rape
Why Jackie loves it
Both women in this story find the inner strength to persevere. Who knew a book about perfume would such a lovely message.
Find this book in: Books Set in France / Family Inheritance Novels
Under the Stars: A Novel
Author: Beatriz Williams
Year: 2025
Genre: Dual Timeline Fiction
More info: Bestselling Author of Husbands & Lovers
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is a dual-timeline book that follows three women’s stories in New England. Meredith Fisher was once a famous movie star who needs to return to her home in New England to sober up and revive her acting career. We see Meredith now, and when she was younger, before she became a mom
Her daughter, Audrey Fisher, has made a life for herself as a chef but agrees to go to the family home with her mom, whom she calls by her first name. When Audrey discovers an old trunk filled with paintings from a great American artist, they wonder how these ended up in their cellar and who is the rightful inheritor.
In 1846, Providence Dare fled Boston on the steamship Atlantic. When the ship hits a storm and is rendered helpless, Providence must find a way to escape the boat- especially since a detective is onboard and he is investigating the suspicious death of her employer, the painter Henry Irving.
Trigger Warnings
Alcohol Abuse
Why Jackie loves it
I love the way Williams writes her novels. She seamlessly integrates the timelines, and her characters are so real. Their flaws are what bring them together and make the relationships so relatable, even if the circumstances are not (I have never found a trunk of artwork). The narrative is unputdownable and I keep wondering why I only started reading Williams last year. Thank you, PRH Audio, for my copy of this book #gifted.
Find this book in: Best Beach Reads 2025 / Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Family Inheritance Novels
Family Inheritance Mysteries & Thrillers
Plot
Jo Piazza has written the PERFECT summer novel, striking a delicious balance between being relaxing enough to enjoy on the beach but thought-provoking enough to discuss with your book club.
I was swept into the story of Sara and her quest to learn about her unexpected inheritance and the possible murder of her great-grandmother, Serafina. To solve the mystery and claim her inheritance, she must travel to the Italian countryside – giving her a break from her recently closed restaurant and her failed marriage.
The dual-timeline narrative focuses on Sara’s quest and Serafina’s life as a woman coming into her own in the 1900s. The stakes are high for both women as they balance staying true to their dreams in the face of society’s oppression of women, especially when it turns dangerous.
Why Kirsten loves it
I could go on and on about this one. The vivid imagery that Jo paints with her writing had me picturing the town, tasting the food, and smelling the Sicilian soil. I SWEAR, at one point I touched my chin to see if the oil from the meal she was writing about was dripping down my face.
It’s a multi-genre, multigenerational masterpiece of a beach read. #gifted by Dutton Books
Why Jackie loves it
I could not put this book down. The characters and the plot compelled me to keep reading, the descriptions of the people and the places made me feel like I was actually there. The fact that some of this is based in a true story is just a cherry on top of this sundae!
Find this book in: Beach Read 2024 / Books Set in Italy / Best Historical Fiction of 2024 / Best Mystery Books 2024 / Giftable Books / The Best Books of 2024 / Books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Ingenue
Author: Rachel Kapalke-Dale
Year: 2022
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Rachel Kapelke Dale does it again with her newest novel, The Ingenue, featuring a musical prodigy who has fallen from grace.
Back home to deal with the recent death of her mother, Saskia is expecting to inherit the famed Elf House that she grew up in. But when her mother’s will stipulates Saskia’s former lover is the recipient, Saskia goes in search of answers – unlocking the trauma of her past in the process.
Trigger Warnings
Pedophilia, Sexual assault
Why Kirsten loves it
Sprinkled throughout with vignettes of feminist retellings of fairytales, this searing story explores the mother-daughter relationship and examines the dark truth behind sexual predators. I was transfixed by her writing and rooting for Saskia to slay her demons like a true fairytale heroine. This heart-thumping book about music was a best book of 2022 pick for me.
Find this book in: Novels About Music / Family Inheritance Novels
Romance Family Inheritance Novels
These Summer Storms
Author: Sarah Maclean
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Alice Storm has not returned to her family’s private island vacation home since she wanted a life outside of the Storm family’s billions and her father’s control. When her father dies unexpectedly, she returns home to for his funeral and discovers he has plans from beyond the grave. He had created an inheritance game where Alice, her siblings (Greta, Sam, and Emily), and her mother must complete tasks to earn their inheritance, and they ALL have to complete their tasks or no one receives anything.
Alice’s task is to remain on the island for a full week – a challenging task given that her family hasn’t spoken with her since her father cut her off. Secrets will be revealed, and the family will either come together or split for good. And when her father’s second-in-command shows up to enforce the rules, the chemistry he has with Alice might become a problem.
Why Kirsten loves it
Every member of this uber-rich family is INSUFFERABLE in the absolute most delicious way possible. If you like shows like White Lotus or The Sirens, I think you will be able to picture exactly the kinds of people I’m talking about. I loved Alice’s struggle to do what her moral compass was telling her to do (run for the hills) and wanted to stay to give her family what they so desperately wanted – the money, when really she just wants to feel important and valued.
The romantic element of the story was steamy and quite a great sidequest, but it was the family struggles that had me squirming in my seat with anxiety, flipping through the pages at warp speed. This is a DELICIOUS summer read.
Find this book in: Beach Reads 2025 / Family Dramas / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Books Inspired by The Life of A Showgirl / Family Inheritance Novels
The Paradise Problem
Author: Christina Lauren
Year: 2024
Genre: Romance
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
It’s a fake dating romance from the queens of romance themselves, Christina Lauren! Anna thought that she had divorced West after they graduated from UCLA. Now, three years later, West needs to contact his not-so-ex-wife and convince her to pretend they are still happily married. Why? To receive a huge inheritance of course!
Anna, desperate for the money to pay for her dad’s medical bills, agrees to jet off to a tropical paradise to spend a week with West’s toxic family at his sister’s week-long wedding celebration. The over-the-top shenanigans reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians in the best way!
Trigger Warnings
Emotional Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I was cheering Anna on as she took on West’s snooty family with her pink hair and bohemian spirit. The chemistry between them was crackling, but it was how they looked after each other that made my heart swoon.
Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Wedding Novels / Beach Reads 2024 / Romance Seaside Books / Billionaire Romance Books / Family Inheritance Novels
Fantasy Family Inheritance Novels
Plot
Mullory Prudence is sixteen-year-old and only has her late mother’s warnings to “run if the strange finds you,” left as memories. Nevertheless, she is drawn into a game called Mystery Royale at Stoutmire Estate, where the prize is a massive inheritance. Once there, she discovers the true prize is Xavier Stoutmire’s illusionary magic, coveted by a family willing to kill for it. To win the game, Mullory must solve the murder of Xavier Stoutmire while navigating family secrets and deciding whom she can trust.
The magical elements reminded me a bit of Caraval but with a distinctly Death Eater-type flavor. The story pits Lyric, Ellison (and her twin), and other relations in a game to win their deceased Uncle’s magic – along with outsider Mullary who is attempting to win and understand why she was chosen to participate in the puzzle.
Why Kirsten loves it
I was swept into the story and I couldn’t put it down. The magical parties and hidden puzzles were painted in such a vivid fashion that I could picture everything in my brain. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!!!
Find this book in: Puzzle Books / Books like the Night Circus / Beach Reads 2025 / Family Inheritance Novels
Plot
The Montoya family are summoned to their grandmother’s house to collect their inheritance. They are hoping to obtain answers from her before she dies. They are used to living with secrets and unexplained phenomenon. But when Orquidea Divina is transformed into a tree before their eyes, they must seek the answers themselves.
Trigger Warnings
Death
Why Jackie loves it
I do not know how to begin to describe this wonderful and complex adult fantasy. The characters are deep and the magic from this story seeps from the pages
Find this book in: Carnival Books / Family Inheritance Novels
Plot
Cordelia and Eustace are sisters who have inherited a large Victorian mansion. The catch? In order to collect their inheritance, they must live inside the quirky mansion.
With a dash of mystery, a touch of romance, and a sprinkle of spooky ancestors, the sisters must navigate the house, a captivating groundskeeper, and the secrets that have been haunting their family for generations. The sisters will need to embrace the powers that they have been taught to ignore in order to mend their bond, uncover the truth, and save themselves.
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of the witch books that is not only spooky but completely captivating from the first page. It was a unique story that felt like it was part mystery as the secrets of the mansion were revealed. I love the relationship between the sisters as well.
Find this book in: Best Ghost Books / Family Inheritance Novels
YA Family Inheritance Novels
The Inheritance Games
Author: Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Year: 2020
Genre: YA Mystery
More info: Book 1 of 5: The Inheritance Games
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I knew I had to read this YA mystery series after it was compared to one of my favorite middle-grade mystery books, The Westing Game.
In this story, Avery, a poor orphan is told she’s just inherited a billionaire’s fortune. His family is determined to get to the money, but Avery has bigger fish to fry – the riddles and puzzles the deceased Tobias Hawthorne left behind for her to solve. As she teams up with unlikely allies, she’s forced to figure out who is a friend or foe. In order to receive the money, she must follow the clues.
Why Kirsten loves it
I flew through this story and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of the trilogy!
Why Jackie loves it
I loved everything about this series, from the characters to the plot to the mystery of “why”.
Adaptation Information
Amazon purchased the rights to this book intending to make a TV series with Lionsgate Television. This announcement comes after it had stalled in production.
Find this book in: Books for 13-year-olds / Best Mystery Books for Teens / Best Puzzle Books / Cozy Mystery Books / Fun Books for Teens / Books Becoming TV Series / Best Books About Siblings / Best Books About Siblings
Plot
A group of four friends spends every summer together on a private island. Money, family, love, and an accident lead to secrets and lies. Featuring complex dynamics between friends and family, this story is both a coming-of-age tale and a mystery all in one.
Trigger Warnings
Fire/Fire injury, Child death
Why Jackie loves it
This book was the perfect suspense which I did not expect. Even though I knew that the narrator was unreliable, I still had no idea where this story was going and I didn’t know it was a Shakespeare retelling of King Lear until years after I read it.
Find this book in: Books with Unreliable Narrators / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens / Best Books for a 13-year-old / Fun Books for Teens / Amnesia Books
The Westing Game
Author: Ellen Raskin
Year: 1979
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 11
More info: Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
When Mr. Westing dies, he leaves the residents of Sunset Towers named in his will. But they need to solve the mystery of his death in order to win control of his company and gain his vast fortune. Your family will love trying to work out what happened along with the characters!
Why Kirsten loves it
The tween book that got me into mysteries as a child is also great as an audiobook. This classic 70s book is still a must-read today! It has withstood the test of time.
Find this book in: Best Middle Grade Mystery Books / Books for 11-year-olds / Newbery Award Winners / Family Audiobooks / Family Inheritance Novels / Puzzle Books for Middle School/
Expert Tip
Are you trying to choose a family inheritance novel but don’t know where to begin?
- Kirsten and I divided this post into fiction, historical fiction, romance, fantasy, thrillers, and mysteries. If you don’t know where to begin, you can pick your favorite genre and go from there.
- Have a look at Kirsten’s and my descriptions of the books. We have read all of these, and our thoughts should give you a great idea of if you will like the book.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a family inheritance book?
In a family inheritance book, there is drama associated with an inheritance. In some of these books, there are hoops to jump through to get an inheritance, and in others, there are questions about where an inheritance came from and who it belongs to. In every one of these books, you will find drama and some of our favorite books from recent years.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite family inheritance novel? Is there a book you think I need to include in this list? I would love to hear your thoughts!
