The Conditions of Will

De: Jessa Hastings

Narrado por: Reagan Sytsma, Alexander Zielke

From the author of the Magnolia Parks universe and the Never series comes a fresh family drama with a heavy dose of romance and a twist of mystery.

“I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t get a handle on myself and my emotions, but the lid is slipping.

Something about the slipping lid feels like it’s Sam Penny’s fault. Like he broke the seal and he’s slowly opening me up.”

London-based Georgia Carter, professional lie detector and body-language savant, has long been estranged from her infuriating, close-minded, wealthy South Carolina family. After a falling-out years ago, the chasm runs deep between the black sheep—Georgia and her gay, alcoholic brother—and their parents and elder siblings. But when their father dies suddenly, Georgia returns to the States for the funeral…where she comes face-to-face with Sam Penny, her brother’s AA sponsor.

Amid the tensions, dramas and revelations of the family reunion, Georgia and Sam are instantly drawn to each other. However, Georgia's brother also harbors feelings for Sam, and the last thing Georgia wants to do is hurt the only family she’s ever really had.

When their father’s will reveals a surprising bequest to a mysterious stranger, Georgia’s ability to read people becomes crucial in unraveling her father’s hidden past. The delicate balance within the family teeters, and secrets—both old and new—threaten to push them beyond the breaking point.

There are only so many cracks a damaged family can take before it shatters.

©2025 Jessa Hastings (P)2025 Bloom

The characters

So fun! The first half wasn’t slow but long if you know what I mean lol. But the second half was so fast (in a good way) and exciting/emotional I really ended up loving it because of the second half. And really well written characters. Also a great performance!! I forgot about that part haha!! But they made the story so captivating.

Where to begin?

First off, this is the 1st Jessa Hastings book I’ve ever read, so I’m not sure how The Conditions of Will compares to her other books. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found myself surprised by its twists and turns on multiple occasions. It was long, but I never felt bored, as the book was paced really well.

Some things that bugged me were hearing Sam Penny ask, “Are you ok?” what felt like 50 million times throughout this story, and also Oliver as a whole. He was petty and annoying, and it was irritating how Georgia tiptoed around him the whole story. It was as if she was so committed to him because of the mistreatment he experienced from their family, not because he was ever a good brother to her. Their close bond was something that never resonated with me because they spent the majority of the book disconnected from one another.

But don’t get me wrong, I loved this book! Georgia was a fascinating character, and the dysfunction of the family in this story was written incredibly well. Even if a book isn’t perfect, if it’s one I feel I could read again and again and still enjoy, it’s worth 5 stars. The Conditions of Will is that to me.

I liked the narrators and the fact that they sounded like normal people who were actually the age of the characters in the book. Too often, audiobook narrators sound like old, strait-laced individuals with no real connection to the story. It’s as if they just read the story and don’t feel it. I enjoyed how these narrators felt much more true to life and the story. However, the difference in mic quality was pronounced and annoying sometimes. Especially when you could tell that they went back later to add in a quick phrase that must have been botched in the middle of a monologue – it was probably the least professional-sounding audiobook I’ve ever listened to. However, I still enjoyed it more than your average audiobook.

The Conditions of Will was a crazy, emotional journey with an ending that left me with tears in my eyes and a smile on my face. Definitely didn’t disappoint!

Amazing Narrators

Loved their performance! That’s all … why does a review need to be 15 words minimun?

Loved this story!

What a beautiful book about family and love. I feel like I know these characters! It was such a well written book!

Incredible. Perfection. 100000/10

Every part of this story was flawless. So compelling and well written. Obsessed with the characters. Easily in my top 5 favorite books.

Sam Penny

Love a self aware man who has done the work on himself, ready to stand up for his girl. I actually loved Georgia even more than Magnolia, and I think it’s because the beginning of her story is after she’s done the bulk of healing from her trauma….just a little different perspective. Jessa never disappoints, and I wish I could have my mind wiped after reading her books so I could reread them all over again.

Amazing

What a trip this book was!
I loved it and at the same time my mind can’t stop thinking about what just happened. Georgia the FMC in this book is hands down the most interesting character I have ever read about, she is studying at Cambridge to become a psychologist and the way she can read people’s body language and facial expressions and study things around her is WILD to me, I was so invested in her character and in awe of how mature she was. Georgia has been through a lot with her family, something unfathomable and the reactions and criticism she gets from her family is something you wouldn’t wish on your enemy but the way she handled it, persevered, and is able to cope in a healthy way, to acknowledge her feelings and to still apologize and express love to those around her is incredible and impressive.
And Sam Perry, protect this man at all costs because he is everything. Coming into Georgia’s life in a time she didn’t even realize she needed him just warms my heart. He stuck up for her, tells her when she’s in the wrong, loves her unconditionally and doesn’t let her run when things get hard, he chooses her and oh my heart this man. The family may be the most dysfunctional family I have read yet few came together that needed to come together and the genuineness was touching. The narrations in duet by Reagan Sytsma and Alexander Zielke was perfection, there were tones of anger, gratitude, love, sorrow, fun and laughter and I felt EVERYTHING while listening. I loved the Australian accent from our MMC Sam Perry, and hope to hear from both of these narrators soon again.

Family Drama
Single PoV
Standalone
Sweet insta love
Secret relationship
Twist of mystery

Check CW/TW

4.5 star
Listened on audible and read on KU

Perfection!

If you’re in a reading slump—this is your antidote. Georgia Carter is the kind of character you instantly want as a best friend and a truth serum; sharp, self-aware, and emotionally unflinching. Her ability to read people in real time adds a brilliant layer to the storytelling—I found myself wishing the people in my own life came with that kind of honest narration. The dynamic with her brother, the forbidden chemistry with Sam Penny, the Southern family secrets unraveling like slow-burn lightning… every page held something tender, electric, or devastatingly real. I fell for each character differently and deeply. Hastings has written something rare: a compulsively readable, soul-satisfying novel that lingers long after the last page.

One of the best of 2025 so far!

I loved everything about this audiobook! The dual narration, storyline, characters, psychology, etc. I could easily picture each character in my mind. The family drama, dynamic, trauma, etc were all spot on. May have been a bit predictable in certain areas, but it was an intriguing and truthful plot.

duet narration for the win!

I absolutely ate this book UP! The audio was top tier.

-family drama
-forced proximity
-trauma
-sam penny aka the greatest man ever written