Inheritance

Hypothesis #7

by Penny Reid

Sam just received a wedding invitation. . . to her own wedding.

Samantha Jarlston doesn’t talk about her past and she has no interest in a long-term romantic relationship with anyone. As a 28-year-old genetics Ph.D. student living in New York City with three roommates and two part-time jobs, Sam doesn’t have much time to do anything other than run sequencing experiments, grade lab reports, and avoid handsy assistant professors. She definitely doesn’t have time or means to plot revenge against the evil charlatan who destroyed her family fifteen years ago, let alone think about her former childhood best friend and current chess grandmaster, Andreas Kristiansen.

But then she receives an invitation to her own wedding and Andreas is the groom. This absurdity sets off a series of (unfortunate?) events complete with corporate fraud, academic threats, and a very particular kind of contract relationship, one which explicitly forbids any and all physical contact. Before Sam knows it, she’s living with Andreas in his penthouse apartment. She’s also sleepwalking again, something she hasn’t done since she was a teenager.

Big problem: she keeps waking up in the wrong bed.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Rom Com, Slow Burn, Fiction

212 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 25, 2025

About the author

Sign up for the newsletter of awesome: www.pennyreid.ninja/newsletter

Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.

FOLLOW PENNY:
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Reviews

[Penny Reid]

This is not a drill, the wait is finally over! INHERITANCE is available on all platforms! Go forth and read the nerdy goodness.

Tropes
Fake Dating
Plot with multiple twists
Women in STEM
She's morally grey
He's morally grey too...
Forced Proximity
Former childhood friends to lovers

Read INHERITANCE Now: https://geni.us/InheritancePR

[Alexia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not really down with the fact that ole girl don’t like to shower. I hope soap and water will be kind to her in part two.

[Cassandra Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I drop my current read when this landed in my BookFunnel account? Yes, yes I did. And 100% worth it.

Penny is a favorite of mine for a reason, her humor, the way she delves into subject with precision and then writes them into her books in a way that reader can read and grasp.

This first part really sets up everything, and though we are left with a lot of questions, you can definitely feel the tension and chemistry between Sam and Andreas.

I’m so excited for the next two installments, and so very glad I ordered them from her shop!

[Em (semi-hiatus) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Individually likeable and interesting characters, but absolutely no chemistry together. It all felt forced. Still, I’m hooked for the sake of the drama.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Releasing this in parts is cruel 😭😭😭

Laws of Physics is my favorite Penny Reid book / series so I’ve been foaming at the mouth since this was announced

[alana ☁️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I love Penny Reid and usually think she can do no wrong. but while her writing is always great, some stories just hit harder than others, and this one fell right in the middle for me. Samantha and Andreas were cute, but I wasn’t entirely sold on their long-lost connection. because the chemistry was a bit lacking, I didn't get fully swept away like I usually do with her books. that said, she’s still a better storyteller than most romance authors out there, and I’m definitely excited to read the next two in the trilogy🤞🏻

[Vaishali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think there's a single person on this planet who's more excited for this series release than me!! I saw this on Penny's website almost a year ago and since been waiting desperately. I was worried she might have dropped the project. or worse I thought i hallucinated the title.

but We FINALLY have an announcement!!!!

SO EXCITED.

edit: Omg is this about Sam from elements of chemistry? Parker's BFF. yess!!! I knew she'd get a book.

[Jennifer Kyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️

[Onnica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roll on 16 October for book 2. The smartest romance I’ve picked up in a while.
I really didn’t intend to read it until all 3 books were available, but no regrets! Can’t wait to continue Andreas and Samantha’s journey - I’m hooked already.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this in a few hours and cannot wait for the next installment!! I am here for this revenge plot! Also, I think I have a stoic chess grandmaster fetish since reading Ali Hazelwood's Check & Mate, so I am definitely team Andreas.

Although Penny calls her Hypothesis series her least popular (her words, not mine) these are some of my favorite books/characters. So if you enjoy this, definitely read the backlog. You will not be disappointed and those two other trilogies are already finished. So, no waiting!

Don't forget to buy this one from Penny's store and get their first meeting in Andreas's POV. Very enlightening!!

[Carrie Rezgui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Favorite

Penny's books are always deliciously tension-filled and I am so here for it. I love her characters. They are filled with depth, angst, loves, hates, and their own issues. They are also real enough that I feel like I met some of them in college. Sam is a PhD candidate and her former best friend is a chess master but they are estranged due to tragic events perpetrated by his family. When his brothers reappear in Sam's life making threats, he offers her a solution. This book is giving off strong friends-to-lover vibes but, be warned, it's a cliffhanger. I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat until the sequel is released in a couple of weeks.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Penny Reid can do no wrong in my eyes, and this might be one of my new favorites of hers. It’s clever, funny, emotionally layered, and so compulsively readable that I was genuinely upset when I had to put it down — and even more upset when I realized I’d have to wait two weeks for book two!
The premise is exactly the kind of absurd brilliance I come to Penny Reid for: Sam, a genetics Ph.D. student already juggling way too much, receives a wedding invitation… to her own wedding. The groom? Her estranged childhood best friend, now a world-famous chess grandmaster, Andreas Kristiansen. What seems like a weird prank quickly unravels into something much bigger — a strategic contract marriage designed to help Sam reclaim the biotech company her late father built, which is currently being run by Andreas' corrupt family.
This isn’t about forced proximity or fake dating for kicks — it’s a high-stakes, carefully worded agreement with very real consequences. And somehow, amidst the legal language and corporate sabotage, there's slow-burning chemistry, emotional baggage, and a rekindling of something that never quite burned out between Sam and Andreas.
Sam is one of the most relatable characters I’ve read in ages. Sure, she’s a genius in a lab, but her spiraling thoughts, over analysis, and social awkwardness felt so real to me. I saw myself in every anxious inner monologue. Penny Reid has this magical ability to write women who are brilliant, messy, and completely human.
Andreas is stoic, guarded, and almost frustratingly logical — which makes every small crack in his armor feel monumental. Watching the emotional distance between them shrink is incredibly satisfying, especially as the stakes get higher and secrets start to come out.
My only issue? I need book two yesterday. The cliffhanger isn’t cruel, exactly, but it definitely left me staring at the last page like 😭.

[Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s been so long since I’ve read a Penny Reid book. I wasn’t sure if this would work for me because her writing hasn’t really been my thing the last few years but I really liked the other books in this series back in the day so decided to go for it. Meh. It was a struggle to finish. Not enough happening, too much inner monologue, not enough chemistry. I was bored. The issue I have been having with all her books the last few years. If you jump into this don’t expect this to feel like the other two trilogies in the series.

[Mela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction to the trilogy was interesting, funny, and sexy. What more could I want?

[Nicole Namen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!!!

I highly enjoyed reading this book! Andreas and Samantha are definitely end game, and they have so much chemistry, it’s crazy! It’s funny and romantic and sizzling between them at times. I am so excited for the next book! Can’t wait to see what happens after living together and her sleepwalking! I loved this book and these characters so much! I am so happy we got to see Martin and Kaitlyn too. This book is unputdownable; I finished it in a day! So excited for the next one!

[Crys · Rating 2 out of 5]

You lost me with the no shower thing.
Ew Sam
A few other things ruined this for me too. At least I got to see cameos from my faves.
Won’t be reading the next books.

[Lidia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was missing the writing by Penny Reid and her stories too but I have changed some of my taste in genre and so the romance between problematic woman ( a bit strange too!) with (always) handsome brilliant man have me tired. I don't know why the particular of Sam that doesn't shower, her lazy ness to do laundry struck me hard. Then the abrupt end , my error to don't know. Three stars because this is the case of "it's not you... it's me.

[Jenny Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to use this space to talk about the trilogy as a whole. It feels like the right way to do it for this series.

There are plenty of elements of this trilogy that I enjoyed. I think the story as a whole is good. Many of the traditional Penny Reid components are present and accounted for and enjoyable.

With that said, there are a lot of basic editing issues throughout all 3 books that I found quite annoying. Things that should have been easily caught. The issues range from obviously mixed up words to overused phrases to little things like using the same unique descriptor to describe two different things in back to back sentences. It started to get annoying fairly early on and picked up momentum with each book. Some issues are book specific and others carry throughout the series. It feels rushed and at though the 3 books weren't considered as a whole.

There are some political/social commentary elements that felt forced. I have historically appreciated what I've learned from this author about current events and haven't been bothered prior to this one. The commentary in this story felt forced and out of place. The added components didn't even really fit the conversations they were a part of, which made them feel more like author proclamations than character ones.

And then there's book 3, where it feels like the story tried to jump the shark, so to speak. An already unique and extravagant storyline went beyond the realm of what this story needed to be. I won't get into it, but a big event in the third book was not necessary to the plot and was really just an unrealistic thing on top of a pile of slightly out-there events. It was too much for me.

This trilogy was more of the Penny Reid many of us fell in love with but book 3 was also the lowest I've ever rated one of her books.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooo good
mcs are so lovable
H is wow <3 i love a man who is willing to set the world on fire to avenge his beloved
and i love a h who is brave enough to claim what is hers

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Swoony

Penny Reid creates such likable, relatable heroines! I just fall right into her stories and don’t want to come back out. And Andreas, can’t wait to find out more about him-he already seems mag nif i cent! This story is like having a favorite dessert. Savor it.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew it! I knew I would be sorry if I didn't wait till all three books were out. GAH! This was fantastic, and of course I went right into Evolution. What will I do for almost three weeks while I wait? GAH!

[Brennie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved a lot of Penny Reid books but the newer ones have been meh. I skipped over a lot of this one, didn’t even skim some parts. I almost quit and near the end the political implications really turned me off because a lot of them weren’t true. They were the characters opinions but I’m convinced they were the author’s also or why bring them up. They added nothing to the story. I hate politics of current events brought up in romance novels. I want to enjoy them not ruined by views that I get enough of every day. Romance novels are my major form of escape from the evil in this world.

[Wangari · Rating 3 out of 5]

That ending was so abrupt!! I didn’t know it would be in parts 😓

[Maliha · Rating 3 out of 5]

i mostly skimmed. it was okay. definitely not better than Mona and Abram's tho

[NB Reads Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know that feeling when you crawl under the covers into a warm bed (and cold pillow) after a long day. That’s what it’s like everytime I open up a Penny Reid book.

So let me say Sam has intrigued me ever since I read Elements of Chemistry and although her and Eric were cute, it is nothing compared to her and Andreas.

Inheritance is just a teaser of what is to come in Reproduction and evolution. I tried my hardest to wait until all three were out but the minute I read the first three chapters I was done for. And when I did finally pick it up I couldn’t put it down but wow… where it went I NEVER SAW THAT COMING.

I can’t wait until to see what unfolds in part 2 and 3 and I am desperate for more of Andreas point of view

[Elle ♡ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I was debating rounding up to 4 stars 🤔 for now I’ll leave it. I went into this with really low expectations due to reviews I’d already seen and how hit or miss Penny Reid has been for me in recent years, especially. I loved this series originally so I was excited to see new additions and this wasn’t too bad honestly haha. I kind of wish it wasn’t 3 parts, I get that it’s following the scheme of the previous books, but eh I don’t really feel like dealing with all this drawn out drama. I think I will continue though. I waited until all 3 books were out to see what I thought and I’m glad I did because idk that this was quite compelling enough to have me coming back every month for more. Samantha and Andreas are cute and I like their childhood friendship/love story, but they were so young when they were parted and it’s been so long. Other than being really attractive, brooding, wealthy and the best chess player in the world we don’t know much about Andreas yet so looking forward to getting to know him better. Oh, pet peeve! And maybe I’ve mentioned this in other PR reviews or maybe lots of authors do this but I hate when each chapter has the characters name at the top to indicate it’s in their POV but then the POV doesn’t switch! I was waiting and waiting for Andreas and finally I looked ahead to each chapter just to see we don’t get his POV until the last one 🙄 we don’t need Samantha’s name at the top of every chapter then! You’re telling the story exclusively from her POV just put Andreas’ name on the one chapter you gave him… anyway. I’m off to go read the next book I guess 🫡

[Cheril Terrazas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third but not least, this new chapter on the Hyphotesis Series is phenomenal. Under the umbrella of women in STEM the story progresses as planned, setting the actors and rules of the game, a friends to lovers, fake dating trope. You should know before hand that this novel is release in three parts, being this the first one (worth it in my opinion).

The characters are brilliant as usual from Penny. She describes them in such a palpable detail, that you can easily imagine their personalities, fears, flaws and moods, I love how she always did this without missing a lot of humor, banter and slow burning chemistry, tricking and surprising you, word by word.

Samantha is making her PhD when suddenly she is contacted by a lost friend or we could say … a frenemy? Who knows??? He comes from the infamous family that destroyed her teenage life forever.

Andreas is a chess player, a strategist and he has a proposal for Sam, something to right the wrongs, the key to change the game.

I tried really hard to wait for the 3 books to be published but I couldn’t 🙈, I knew I shouldn’t read the sample I. KNEW. IT!!! 🤪 The cliffhanger is valid and not hard to digest at all BUT she already said that it won’t be the case for the next one, so WE ARE WARNED.

I absolutely love it! ❤️‍🔥

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

pure genius!!!

I’m in so deep!!!! I’m not gonna make it til mid October!!!!! Every character Penny creates pulls me in and makes me never want to leave! So many books I find myself skipping large sections of text to get to conversation and it never matters much to the storyline but I read EVERY SINGLE WORD of Penny’s books (most of them 2-3 times and then listen to the audio book!!) because all the details weave intricate individuals that I can’t get enough of! Hats off to another marvelous story and I’m already going insane waiting for the next one!!!!

[Ensorcelled · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one surprised me, because Beard Science by this author is perhaps my favorite romance novel of all time. Yet this book just felt hollow in comparison, even amateurish, and I wasn't really buying the long-lost connection between the hero and heroine. The hero also came across as somewhat one-dimensional; we didn't know much about him other than what the heroine told of his past and his very narrow expression as a character in the current time. Sure, he sounds handsome, and yes, he's rich or whatever, but what else is there? We didn't even learn about his history with Chess. I guess I just wasn't really feeling it.

The jury's out as to whether I'll get the next installment(s).

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm was definitely intrigued by this setup and I love the non-apologetic science forward heroine! As a worker in STEM as well, I have the same opinions as Sam (and the author). I'm ready for the next one!