When multi-millionaire Jacki Turner is forced to take stock of her life, she sets her daughters a challenge: in order to inherit her vast fortune, each must fulfil a task that she believes will push them to become better versions of themselves.
Rose, an exhausted mother of three, must write and publish a children’s picture book. Exercise-hater Mel must run the Gold Coast marathon. Isla, the eldest, must figure out who she is beyond her wealth and status, while commitment-phobic Jess must stay in a relationship for longer than three months.
For each, Jacki’s terms seem an impossible task, bringing painful wounds to the surface and straining tenuous relationships. But when the sisters are faced with an unexpected turn of events, they must learn how to move forward and forgive, or risk losing it all. Terms of Inheritance is a funny, moving and brilliantly observed story about letting go of the past.
This debut novel by Michelle Upton was shortlisted for Harper Collins’ Banjo Prize in 2021, and it’s easy to see why! Upton writes with humour, warmth, wit and candour in this story of a very wealthy mother and her four daughters who receive quite the shock when they learn they have to complete a range of tailored tasks to receive their inheritances. The way Upton portrays these sisterly relationships is relatable, honest and entertaining; they’re characters that you’ll simultaneously feel for and want to cheer for.
Set in and around the Gold Coast and Byron Bay areas, Terms of Inheritance takes you straight into some stunning Australian locations, where the summer feeling is palpable. The perspective moves between Jacki and each of the sisters, providing a multi-faceted exploration of their family dynamics. Add in some romances and tearful moments, and Terms of Inheritance ticks many boxes for a wonderful contemporary family novel.
Upton’s debut is the perfect warm-hearted family story that we highly recommend you put in your beach bag or take on holiday this summer.
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