Katherine St. John
After finding Razorblade Tears to be a lackluster thriller, I was happy to find that the opposite is true with The Lion’s Den.
Quick Synopsis
Belle likes to think herself immune to the dizzying effects of fabulous wealth. But when her best friend, Summer, invites her on a glamorous getaway to the Mediterranean aboard her billionaire boyfriend’s yacht, the only sensible answer is yes. Once she’s aboard the luxurious Lion’s Den, it soon becomes clear this jet-setting holiday is not as advertised.
Publisher’s Synopsis
Belle likes to think herself immune to the dizzying effects of fabulous wealth. But when her best friend, Summer, invites her on a glamorous getaway to the Mediterranean aboard her billionaire boyfriend’s yacht, the only sensible answer is yes. Belle hopes the trip will be a much-needed break from her stalled acting career and uniquely humiliating waitressing job, but once she’s aboard the luxurious Lion’s Den, it soon becomes clear this jet-setting holiday is not as advertised.
Belle’s dream vacation quickly devolves into a nightmare as she and the handful of other girls Summer invited are treated more like prisoners than guests by their controlling host-and in one terrifying moment, Belle comes to see Summer for who she truly is: a vicious gold digger who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
Belle realizes she’s going to have to keep her wits about her — and her own big secret closely hidden — if she wants to make it off the yacht alive.
Book Review
The Lion’s Den is a fast-paced, juicy story about a group of friends invited to spend a week on a luxurious yacht in the Mediterranean. I had heard great things about this book but still was surprised by this fun, suspenseful thriller I quickly binge read.
The tone starts out pretty innocuous with struggling actress, Belle, invited on a dream vacation aboard her best friend’s boyfriend’s yacht. Of course, things soon feel off. At first, it seems that it is just a case of cattiness and innocent lies by someone who has come to think too highly of herself. But soon, things become suspect and creepy. You end up with a story of betrayal, deception, and sweet, sweet retribution.
This is my first book my Katherine St. John, although it will not be my last. Her writing was exactly what was need to keep the pace quick and the reader gripped. St. John expertly crafted the atmosphere so that the reader has great Riviera views along with creepy vibes. She also did an excellent job crafting the split timelines in a way that kept me interested in the past and the present all while on the edge of my seat. The plot twist was unique and utterly satisfying.
Overall, I loved The Lion’s Den and will be recommending it far and wide. If you are looking for one last beach read before declaring summer over, you should definitely read this novel! It is a wildly fun and entertaining read with such a satisfying ending. The Lion’s Den is the adult version of Means Girls we all deserve – on a luxurious yacht, in a foreign country, with real danger.
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