Katherine St. John

A dream vacation on a luxurious yacht turns deadly in this pulse-pounding beach read and perfect book club pick about glamour, friendship, romance, and betrayal on the Riviera. Belle likes to think herself immune to the dizzying effects of fabulous wealth. But when her best friend, Summer, invites her on a glamorous girls' 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 aboard the luxurious Lion's Den, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. The dream vacation quickly devolves into a nightmare as Belle and the handful of other girlfriends Summer has invited are treated more like prisoners than guests by their controlling host, and Belle comes to see Summer for what she truly is: a vicious gold digger who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. Belle soon realizes she's going to have to keep her wits about her -- and her own big secret close to her chest -- if she wants to make it off the yacht alive.

The Lion's Den

Amelia Hruby

Briar's Reviews

A while back, The Lion's Den seemed to be advertised EVERYWHERE. Maybe it was just me and my book reading habit that the ads picked up on, but I kept seeing it over and over. I really wanted to take a dip into the waters of this book, but I kept putting it off. The ads had hyped the book up so much, what if it wasn't good anymore?! So I kept hiding and waiting... And then I finally decided to take the plunge and give this book a go. Well, it was quite the book! 

If you like thrills packed tight with extra drama, then this book is for you! It's a soap opera lover's DREAM and will make you question what is actually going on. Right from the get go you'll know something is off, but will you be able to guess the twists before they happen? Try to be a super sleuth and pick apart this book! It's quite fun!

Belle is an actress. Well, kind of an actress. She's more so a bartender working really hard to try to be an actress. She's in some indie flicks and B movies, but she's out there! She's hot, she's got it, and she's working hard. One day, her good ole friend Summer invites her on the trip of a life time! Do you want to join Summer and her super old, super rich boyfriend on a yacht for a week to celebrate Summer's birthday?! It sounds like a blast! Or is it?

Summer was a good friend... kind of? Unreliable, never paid the rent, trying to get with Belle's love interests - you know, THAT kind of friend. The popular girl everyone pretended to like but everyone really despised. But now she's hitting the big time! She's got a super old boyfriend who's had too many marriages to count and wants all of Summer's friends on the yacht. A dream vacation, per say! Or... maybe... A dark and twisted nightmare?

But we aren't there yet! More of Summer's friends, her sister and Mom get to come along for the party of a lifetime! Although, there's a wee bit of a bump. One of Summer's sister's friends comes along instead of the verified and approved party... And this chick is HOT and everything that Summer despises (which is girls that rival her in any form. Be ugly or be square girlies!). And then the staff get controlling... And the girls get locked into their rooms... And no internet access... And nasty remarks or dictated schedules... Yelling... Screaming... Manipulation... Maybe not the dream week the girls were imaging!

This book gets wild FAST. It jumps back and forth between the present day and the months leading up to the trip. Summer's relationships are spotty and she proves to not be who she says she is. Belle also has an interesting past to follow, but shows herself to be a worthy lead character. I would say a lot of the girls feel fake and unlikable, but I'm guessing they were written that way. I only wish the book would have gone on for a couple more chapters so we could find out what REALLY happened... But alas, Katherine St. John leaves us off just a wee bit too soon. It definitely closes the book out, but not the way I would have liked it. I'm picky, what can I say?

As my first outing with Katherine St. John, I would say this is quite the success! I definitely want to grab a few more books from her and watch her style grow and evolve. This book is one dramatic thriller that packs quite a punch!

Four out of five stars.

I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.

“Money doesn’t change people,” he reflects. “It only magnifies the qualities that were already there.”

really liked this one! Never really a fan of rich people drama mysteries, but this was eerie and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down, and finished it in a day. The PERFECT summery/vacationy mystery/thriller read!!!

Jessie!

“Money doesn’t change people,” he reflects. “It only magnifies the qualities that were already there.”

really liked this one! Never really a fan of rich people drama mysteries, but this was eerie and intriguing. I couldn’t put it down, and finished it in a day. The PERFECT summery/vacationy mystery/thriller read!!!

Aditi

rating: 2.5
I think I just got fooled into reading a domestic thriller disguised as rich people drama. 

Starting with what I liked, the main character or rather how well developed she was. Belle felt very grounded and real as flawed as she was. The side characters were interesting enough in the beginning but felt very one note as the book went on. I kept confusing them with each other, even the two brothers, one of whom is supposed to be the love interest.

The plot was kind of terrible. I guessed the main plot twist about 20% into the book and the on going drama was predictable and boring as well. None of the mini plot twists were shocking and I only managed to finish this book because the audio narrator, Christine Lakin did a pretty good job, thus the rounding up of the rating.

Eliza adkins 

The first half of the book felt like ages to get through. The DRAMA though kind of made up for it

Linda Quintanilla

I got to warn you don’t expect things from what it seems. Everything is twist and turn in The Lion’s Den that it would keep you captivated until the very end.I won’t spoil anything for you but I would recommend to pay attention to everything. There is a lot going on that it will make sense until the end. I was pretty shocked, and I know you would too. Belle is desperately in need of a vacation that she did not hesitate when Summer invited. But it’s always best to say no especially if your friendship is not the best so far. I won’t go too much into it but I got to say we will discover a lot about Summer and Belle friendship. Pay attention because it will factor in when the killing starts. Just expect everything to go one way or another then twist all around.

Tayler Park

Basy Nightshade

I hated almost every character in this book.
so it was a great read 😂!

Lynn Braden

Belle is excited to be going on her first Mediterranean cruise aboard a yacht owned by her best friend's fiance to celebrate her birthday. Joining them is her best friend, Summer's mother and sister as well as two more of their friends. The first indication that there is something wrong with this trip is when they are not only made to wait for hours before boarding the private plane that will take them to the yacht, but there is a seating chart once they get on board. Belle knows that she will be sick if she is made to sit facing the back of the plane, but she is not allowed to move out of her assigned seat. Things just get stranger from there as Belle realizes that once they board the yacht, they are being locked in their cabins at night. 
The Lion's Den is a bizarre story that starts out as a simple rivalry between friends but slowly turns into something more sinister. There are two narratives being told in alternating chapters. One takes place in the present, following Belle on her trip aboard the yacht; the other begins ten years ago and finally meets the current story in the very last chapter. Much of the story wreaks of melodrama that deteriorates into some kind of spy adventure. Having said that, however, I was extremely anxious to get to the finish in order to find out what actually happens. Some details are left as loose ends, but for the most part, the story is completed with a relatively satisfying but somewhat patronizing ending.

Yuki Reads

This one was WILDDD! I thought it was going to be a glitzy story but it got INTENSE and super thrilling. Could nottt put this one down