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  • Published: 4 November 2025
  • ISBN: 9780241772225
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $27.99

The Same Backward as Forward (The Inheritance Games)





A star-crossed, enemies-to-lovers, tragic love story and prequel to the NUMBER ONE bestselling Inheritance Games series. Full of danger, mystery and truly epic romance . . .

Hannah Rooney has a plan: keep her head down and avoid the dealings of her criminal family. She's biding her time in nursing school, waiting for her beloved sister, Kaylie, to turn eighteen so Hannah can get them both far away.

Tobias Hawthorne II acts every inch the entitled heir. Yet behind his razor sharp cheekbones and devil may care attitude, Toby is guarding a nest of deadly secrets and a fiery anger.

Then, Hannah and Toby’s lives collide in one tragic night, where an act of arson leaves Kaylie dead, and Toby barely alive, with no memory of who he is – or how responsible he is for the fire.

Now, fueled by her hatred, Hannah is determined to deny Toby his death wish by keeping him alive. But as she nurses him back, Hannah begins to realise that Toby Hawthorne might just be earning her love rather than deserving of her hate . . .

  • Published: 4 November 2025
  • ISBN: 9780241772225
  • Imprint: Penguin
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $27.99

About the author

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes has written more than a dozen acclaimed young adult novels. Jen is also a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. She received her Ph.D. from Yale University in 2012 and is currently a professor of psychology and professional writing at the University of Oklahoma. You can find her online at www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com or follow her on Twitter @jenlynnbarnes.

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