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Please Join Us
At thirty-nine, Nicole Mueller’s life is on the rocks. Her once brilliant law career is falling apart. She and her husband, Dan, are soon to be forced out of the apartment they love. After a warning from her firm’s senior partners, she receives an invitation from an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. Membership is anonymous, but every member is a successful professional. It sounds like the perfect solution to help Nicole revive her career. So, despite Dan’s concerns that the group might be a cult, Nicole signs up for their retreat in Colorado.
Once there, she meets the other women who will make up her Pride. A CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, a congresswoman: Nicole can’t believe her luck. The founders of Panthera Leo are equally as impressive. They explain the group’s core philosophy: they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
Nicole is all in. And when she gets home, she soon sees dividends. Her new network quickly provides her with clients that help her relaunch her career, and a great new apartment too. The favors she has to provide in return seem benign. But then she’s called to the congresswoman’s apartment late at night where she’s pressed into helping her cover up a crime. And suddenly, Dan’s concerns that something more sinister is at play seem all too relevant. Can Nicole extricate herself from the group before it’s too late? Or will joining Panthera Leo be the biggest mistake of her life?
Once there, she meets the other women who will make up her Pride. A CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, a congresswoman: Nicole can’t believe her luck. The founders of Panthera Leo are equally as impressive. They explain the group’s core philosophy: they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
Nicole is all in. And when she gets home, she soon sees dividends. Her new network quickly provides her with clients that help her relaunch her career, and a great new apartment too. The favors she has to provide in return seem benign. But then she’s called to the congresswoman’s apartment late at night where she’s pressed into helping her cover up a crime. And suddenly, Dan’s concerns that something more sinister is at play seem all too relevant. Can Nicole extricate herself from the group before it’s too late? Or will joining Panthera Leo be the biggest mistake of her life?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2022
455 people are currently reading
22425 people want to read
About the author
Catherine McKenzie
34 books4,859 followersCatherine McKenzie was born and raised in Montreal, Canada. A graduate of McGill in History and Law, Catherine practiced law in Montreal for twenty years before retiring to write full time. An avid runner and skier, she's the author of numerous bestsellers including HIDDEN, FRACTURED, THE and the GOOD LIAR. I'LL NEVER TELL was a #1 Amazon Bestseller, a Globe & Mail and Toronto Star Bestseller, shortlisted for the Hugh McLennan Prize for Fiction.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
On April 30, 2024 Catherine will publish the first in a new funny mystery series named EVERY TIME I GO ON VACATION, SOMEONE DIES as Catherine Mack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 983 reviews
February 28, 2022
Karma
3.5 stars
Please Join Us is a mystery/thriller/drama about an elite women’s club that empowers women by helping them take what they want to achieve fame, fortune, and success. However, there is a catch: the group holds their members’ lives in their hands and will destroy those who attempt to leave.
When a floundering lawyer, Nicole, is offered membership to an exclusive women’s group, Panthera Leo, that supposedly has the power to elevate her career to new heights, she jumps at the chance to join up. As a newly minted member, Nicole joins a Pride, where she supports her fellow members at all costs, even if it means covering up a murder.
The narrative alternates between then and the now, with all parts narrated by Nicole, who wasn’t a favorite. While I could identify with some of her concerns over her career, she complains and whines a lot about her first-world problems. The characters in the pride, Connie, Nicole, Heather, and Athena, are all one-dimensional. I constantly confused Nicole, Julie (another minor character), and Heather.
I didn’t love the characters, but I had fun with the plot and the premise! And although I didn’t love the characters, I did enjoy seeing strong, albeit manipulative and vicious, women portrayed. I love the idea of a women’s group taking control and righting wrongs, even if it means getting revenge. This was a fast-paced, entertaining read with some good twists and turns. There was a lag in the middle, but the ending has a big payoff!
I received an ARC of this book from Maudee Genao from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Please Join Us is a mystery/thriller/drama about an elite women’s club that empowers women by helping them take what they want to achieve fame, fortune, and success. However, there is a catch: the group holds their members’ lives in their hands and will destroy those who attempt to leave.
When a floundering lawyer, Nicole, is offered membership to an exclusive women’s group, Panthera Leo, that supposedly has the power to elevate her career to new heights, she jumps at the chance to join up. As a newly minted member, Nicole joins a Pride, where she supports her fellow members at all costs, even if it means covering up a murder.
The narrative alternates between then and the now, with all parts narrated by Nicole, who wasn’t a favorite. While I could identify with some of her concerns over her career, she complains and whines a lot about her first-world problems. The characters in the pride, Connie, Nicole, Heather, and Athena, are all one-dimensional. I constantly confused Nicole, Julie (another minor character), and Heather.
I didn’t love the characters, but I had fun with the plot and the premise! And although I didn’t love the characters, I did enjoy seeing strong, albeit manipulative and vicious, women portrayed. I love the idea of a women’s group taking control and righting wrongs, even if it means getting revenge. This was a fast-paced, entertaining read with some good twists and turns. There was a lag in the middle, but the ending has a big payoff!
I received an ARC of this book from Maudee Genao from Simon & Schuster and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2022
Ms. McKenzie had me at the idea of vicious women club kicks the asses of cheater, manipulator boys’ club !
What is included in this extra intelligent, twisty, capturing thriller ? Lots of mind games, back stabbing, wow I didn’t see that coming moments, lying, cheating, manipulation, gaslighting!
It seems like delicious combination of Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers ( Colorado gathering- deer hunting- strange rituals and testing members’ courage, endurance - drugging parts are similar) meets Mark Edwards’ House Guest( dangerous secret society vibes) with John Grisham’s Firm ( selling your soul to the BB keeps watching you)
Nicole Mueller is main character whose life on the rocks. Not because of her failing law career, being about to lose the house they’d rented from her husband’s aunt or semi- struggling relationship with her husband who is not as competitive as her. She feels lost in her own mind and body. She needs a fresh start, fresh mind, fresh life perspective to see things from more objective sight.
When she gets an invitation from an exclusive women’s network group called Panthera Leo, she decides to take her chances by firming potential business contacts.
She realizes the members of the group are truly powerful women including a popular actress, a congresswoman who saved her getting poison from a snake, a dominant CEO, a snarky finance whiz. She forms special connection with congresswoman Athena during their journey.
Two leaders of the group reminds them of Ying and Yang ( Karma: strict business woman, Michelle; down to earth, hipster, an ex popular singer) give them interesting tasks to test their boundaries.
As soon as Nicole turns back to NY, she realizes things get so much easier at work with the help of Panthera members’ favors. She finds more clients to relaunch her career and moves to a luxurious apartment! But of course everything comes with price.
When we move to present time, we see how Nicole enters Athena’s apartment in the middle of the night, helping her getting away with the murder! Somebody sends her messages to advise what she has to do which means she’s being watched as soon as she accepts to be controlled by her new group!
Especially last third of the book was surprisingly twisty. The author throws bombs on our laps and she runs away without seeing them blast! My head still hurts: I kept saying myself what, really, no freaking way, Holly sh*t!
I always enjoy the creative mind of the author who brilliantly develops mysteries which are full of conspiracies.
This is definitely complex, smart, thrilling, reading at the edge of your seat when you keep drinking whole bottle of chilled Chardonnay book I highly recommended!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
What is included in this extra intelligent, twisty, capturing thriller ? Lots of mind games, back stabbing, wow I didn’t see that coming moments, lying, cheating, manipulation, gaslighting!
It seems like delicious combination of Liane Moriarty’s Nine Perfect Strangers ( Colorado gathering- deer hunting- strange rituals and testing members’ courage, endurance - drugging parts are similar) meets Mark Edwards’ House Guest( dangerous secret society vibes) with John Grisham’s Firm ( selling your soul to the BB keeps watching you)
Nicole Mueller is main character whose life on the rocks. Not because of her failing law career, being about to lose the house they’d rented from her husband’s aunt or semi- struggling relationship with her husband who is not as competitive as her. She feels lost in her own mind and body. She needs a fresh start, fresh mind, fresh life perspective to see things from more objective sight.
When she gets an invitation from an exclusive women’s network group called Panthera Leo, she decides to take her chances by firming potential business contacts.
She realizes the members of the group are truly powerful women including a popular actress, a congresswoman who saved her getting poison from a snake, a dominant CEO, a snarky finance whiz. She forms special connection with congresswoman Athena during their journey.
Two leaders of the group reminds them of Ying and Yang ( Karma: strict business woman, Michelle; down to earth, hipster, an ex popular singer) give them interesting tasks to test their boundaries.
As soon as Nicole turns back to NY, she realizes things get so much easier at work with the help of Panthera members’ favors. She finds more clients to relaunch her career and moves to a luxurious apartment! But of course everything comes with price.
When we move to present time, we see how Nicole enters Athena’s apartment in the middle of the night, helping her getting away with the murder! Somebody sends her messages to advise what she has to do which means she’s being watched as soon as she accepts to be controlled by her new group!
Especially last third of the book was surprisingly twisty. The author throws bombs on our laps and she runs away without seeing them blast! My head still hurts: I kept saying myself what, really, no freaking way, Holly sh*t!
I always enjoy the creative mind of the author who brilliantly develops mysteries which are full of conspiracies.
This is definitely complex, smart, thrilling, reading at the edge of your seat when you keep drinking whole bottle of chilled Chardonnay book I highly recommended!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
January 3, 2022
An email arrives in Nicole Mueller’s inbox. It is an application to join a women's networking group that promises to help women succeed. Panthera Leo may just be what Nicole needs to get her career back on track. So, why not?
She joins and goes off to the corporate team-building retreat. I could tell right away, that this group was up to no good. They are demanding and things turn pretty complicated and tangled. I had a hard time believing that Nicole would let herself be sucked into such promises. Her husband, Dan seemed to have a better sense of how things might turn out.
I found this to be more of a mystery than a thriller. There was quite a bit of build-up and team building where the women and their motivations start to become clear. I found much of the first half to be slow and a bit mundane, at 55%, I was still wondering if anything surprising would happen.
Then, yes, a nice surprise twist near the end, but the way it played out was so unimaginative. I was hoping the book would make a turn at that point (and save the book), but instead of using the twist to take off, it fell a bit flat and predictable.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my early review copy. OUT May 24, 2022
She joins and goes off to the corporate team-building retreat. I could tell right away, that this group was up to no good. They are demanding and things turn pretty complicated and tangled. I had a hard time believing that Nicole would let herself be sucked into such promises. Her husband, Dan seemed to have a better sense of how things might turn out.
I found this to be more of a mystery than a thriller. There was quite a bit of build-up and team building where the women and their motivations start to become clear. I found much of the first half to be slow and a bit mundane, at 55%, I was still wondering if anything surprising would happen.
Then, yes, a nice surprise twist near the end, but the way it played out was so unimaginative. I was hoping the book would make a turn at that point (and save the book), but instead of using the twist to take off, it fell a bit flat and predictable.
Thanks to NG and the publisher for my early review copy. OUT May 24, 2022
December 14, 2021
Lawyer Nicole is feeling down on her luck when her numbers at work aren’t looking too good. Displeased, she receives a mysterious invitation to join a women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. Nicole’s husband, Dan, thinks it sounds like a cult, but she decides to go to the retreat she’s invited to and see what’s going on.
The other women in the group are very powerful, and Nicole quickly realizes how wonderful joining the group is. The network gets her more work, finds her and her husband a new place to live, and checks in with each other whenever necessary.
All is fine and dandy until Nicole gets a call in the middle of the night, demanding she go to one of the women’s houses. Nicole finds a dead body on the floor. More disturbing than that, the group wants her to help cover up the murder.
This is an enjoyable, fast-paced, suspenseful legal story with intriguing characters and threads. Author Catherine McKenzie does a brilliant job of explaining legal jargon without making it fly over the head of a reader who knows barely anything about it.
The last section is very clever, and I definitely enjoyed seeing everything fall into place…with a few surprises to boot.
TW: A brief, but unenjoyable, moment involving the killing of a deer.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 5/24/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
The other women in the group are very powerful, and Nicole quickly realizes how wonderful joining the group is. The network gets her more work, finds her and her husband a new place to live, and checks in with each other whenever necessary.
All is fine and dandy until Nicole gets a call in the middle of the night, demanding she go to one of the women’s houses. Nicole finds a dead body on the floor. More disturbing than that, the group wants her to help cover up the murder.
This is an enjoyable, fast-paced, suspenseful legal story with intriguing characters and threads. Author Catherine McKenzie does a brilliant job of explaining legal jargon without making it fly over the head of a reader who knows barely anything about it.
The last section is very clever, and I definitely enjoyed seeing everything fall into place…with a few surprises to boot.
TW: A brief, but unenjoyable, moment involving the killing of a deer.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 5/24/22.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
April 18, 2023
*Many thanks to Goodreads, Edelweiss, Atria, and Catherine McKenzie for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! Now available as of 8.23, and now in paperback!*
“Do not try to fight a lion if you are not one yourself.” – African Proverb
The lion may be known as the King of the Jungle...but where would the males of the pride be without the lionesses?
Nicole has spent many years trying to build her reputation at her law firm...only to have everything seemingly crash down in an instant. The points committee has failed to give her the points she needs to succeed, and her boss lets her know her future at the firm is in jeopardy. She's also in danger of losing her fabulous apartment with fellow lawyer and hubby Dan, and this news couldn't have come at a worse time.
Just when Nicole feels like she's reached the end of her tether, she gets a mysterious email from a group called Panthera Leo. Ostensibly, the group stands against the 'old boys clubs' of the world and allows the brilliance and power of its particular brand of woman to thrive and flourish in ways they never deemed possible. it all begins with an invitation to a retreat...with little other detail provided. Though her husband thinks it sounds a bit cult-y, but Nicole is intrigued and takes the leap.
Once there, the group full of famous and powerful women (including actresses, those from the political sphere, etc.) bond in ways they never thought possible, going through strenuous mental and physical tests meant to test their mettle and their commitment to one another. When Nicole gets back home, her career DOES begin to turn a corner, and all of the women are there to 'help' one another at a moment's notice.
Until one request chills Nicole to the bone...she is summoned to help deal with a dead body.
Has Panthera Leo gone one step too far? Was her desire to be part of this pride enough to risk it all...even her freedom...and her life?
I was nervous coming into this read for multiple reasons: I didn't have a wonderful experience with my last from this author and I'd read this was a bit of a cult book, and those are hit or miss for me in general.
What I didn't know coming into this one, however, was exactly HOW MUCH I would love the female empowerment angle in this book...and how this spin on a revenge tale would keep me hooked!
McKenzie's writing is always accessible, and her legal knowledge (of the basics, the 'life of a lawyer', and intricate details that become important at the end of the book) shines through MC Nicole. (For some bizarre reason, I kept forgetting that her name was Nicole. No idea why!) She keeps her chapters on the shorter side, although some of the experiences on the retreat erred on the side of long-winded. I appreciated that she kept the action moving overall, and the plot itself was a bit too intricate to guess, but not SO intricate that it falls into unbelievable or confusing territory.
I was also relieved this was more of a white collar underground network than a full-on cape-wearing cult, as those type of stories can feel a bit much. I think in today's world, a Panthera Leo very well COULD exist (and some may argue, is even warranted! 😉) This book fell right in line with the 'don't you dare underestimate the power of a woman' vibes that have been popping up in so many books as of late, and I honestly think the genre has only benefited from the proliferation of these types of stories. McKenzie takes the 'smash the patriarchy' bit just ONE STEP farther...but doesn't descend into cliche or OTT territory, giving it that edge to make it a stand-out read. Even a slightly predictable ending chapter was the perfect tongue-in-cheek conclusion this book needed!
This story is JUST reflective and clever enough to get you thinking (and perhaps rile you up a bit!) while still reading as an entertaining popcorn thriller at the same time. Consider it your food for thought AND 'just desserts'...all in one deliciously fabulous package! 🍴🍰
4 stars
“Do not try to fight a lion if you are not one yourself.” – African Proverb
The lion may be known as the King of the Jungle...but where would the males of the pride be without the lionesses?
Nicole has spent many years trying to build her reputation at her law firm...only to have everything seemingly crash down in an instant. The points committee has failed to give her the points she needs to succeed, and her boss lets her know her future at the firm is in jeopardy. She's also in danger of losing her fabulous apartment with fellow lawyer and hubby Dan, and this news couldn't have come at a worse time.
Just when Nicole feels like she's reached the end of her tether, she gets a mysterious email from a group called Panthera Leo. Ostensibly, the group stands against the 'old boys clubs' of the world and allows the brilliance and power of its particular brand of woman to thrive and flourish in ways they never deemed possible. it all begins with an invitation to a retreat...with little other detail provided. Though her husband thinks it sounds a bit cult-y, but Nicole is intrigued and takes the leap.
Once there, the group full of famous and powerful women (including actresses, those from the political sphere, etc.) bond in ways they never thought possible, going through strenuous mental and physical tests meant to test their mettle and their commitment to one another. When Nicole gets back home, her career DOES begin to turn a corner, and all of the women are there to 'help' one another at a moment's notice.
Until one request chills Nicole to the bone...she is summoned to help deal with a dead body.
Has Panthera Leo gone one step too far? Was her desire to be part of this pride enough to risk it all...even her freedom...and her life?
I was nervous coming into this read for multiple reasons: I didn't have a wonderful experience with my last from this author and I'd read this was a bit of a cult book, and those are hit or miss for me in general.
What I didn't know coming into this one, however, was exactly HOW MUCH I would love the female empowerment angle in this book...and how this spin on a revenge tale would keep me hooked!
McKenzie's writing is always accessible, and her legal knowledge (of the basics, the 'life of a lawyer', and intricate details that become important at the end of the book) shines through MC Nicole. (For some bizarre reason, I kept forgetting that her name was Nicole. No idea why!) She keeps her chapters on the shorter side, although some of the experiences on the retreat erred on the side of long-winded. I appreciated that she kept the action moving overall, and the plot itself was a bit too intricate to guess, but not SO intricate that it falls into unbelievable or confusing territory.
I was also relieved this was more of a white collar underground network than a full-on cape-wearing cult, as those type of stories can feel a bit much. I think in today's world, a Panthera Leo very well COULD exist (and some may argue, is even warranted! 😉) This book fell right in line with the 'don't you dare underestimate the power of a woman' vibes that have been popping up in so many books as of late, and I honestly think the genre has only benefited from the proliferation of these types of stories. McKenzie takes the 'smash the patriarchy' bit just ONE STEP farther...but doesn't descend into cliche or OTT territory, giving it that edge to make it a stand-out read. Even a slightly predictable ending chapter was the perfect tongue-in-cheek conclusion this book needed!
This story is JUST reflective and clever enough to get you thinking (and perhaps rile you up a bit!) while still reading as an entertaining popcorn thriller at the same time. Consider it your food for thought AND 'just desserts'...all in one deliciously fabulous package! 🍴🍰
4 stars
August 7, 2022
My thanks to Atria books, Catherine McKenzie and Netgalley.
This was some twisty and fiendishly clever story!
I've never read this author before, but I'll be keeping my eye out for more!
Sorry for the short review, but I've been sick this summer. Which means I'm reading like mad, but just unwilling to spend much time reviewing.
This is a book that I'd unreservedly recommend.
This was some twisty and fiendishly clever story!
I've never read this author before, but I'll be keeping my eye out for more!
Sorry for the short review, but I've been sick this summer. Which means I'm reading like mad, but just unwilling to spend much time reviewing.
This is a book that I'd unreservedly recommend.
August 28, 2022
Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for my beautiful gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
3.5 rounded up for fun vibes
SYNOPSIS
Nicole's career has taken a hit, but a special invitation to Panthera Leo - a boss bitches only networking group - things start to change for the better. Or do they...?
MY OPINION
This was a fun lil read. It was the perfect length and kept me engaged throughout. I have to admit, I'm a fan of the boss bitches link up for revenge trope - The Last Invitation, The Collective, and sorta kinda The Hit List all had similar themes and earned 4 stars from me.
As with the aforementioned, expect a lot of man-hating and take down the patriarchy talk. It is the motive for revenge so there's really no way around it. Yes, this story totally fantastical and over the top, but it was well-written, funny, and entertaining. No drunk or pill-poppin ladies here. We have baddies on baddies.
I really did not fucks with Dan lmao. Not Dan suddenly wanting kids because mommy dearest said so, even though they would've been homeless thanks to her. And I also didn't fuck with the constant diet/exercise talk. For a book that was all about women empowerment in the workplace, Nicole's fixation on "eating better" and exercise seemed counterproductive. Diet culture is so passe. Let's move on, PLEASE.
So tbh this was riding at a Honda Civic Reliable three, but that last page had me SHOOKETHHH. I literally did a double take. Now usually this kind of out-of-left-field shockeroo annoys me BUT Catherine McKenzie did leave some breadcrumbs behind, so yes, the math did math and I can support it.
Don't get it twisted and think this is a literary masterpiece; the message is simply and straightforward. It's an entertaining guilty pleasure read, perfect for weekend on the couch or pretending to parent at the park.
PROS AND CONS
PROS: fun read, well-paced, entertaining premise, funny at times, last page had me SHOOKETH
CONS: Dan, unnecessary diet/exercise talk that had NOTHING to do with the plot
3.5 rounded up for fun vibes
SYNOPSIS
Nicole's career has taken a hit, but a special invitation to Panthera Leo - a boss bitches only networking group - things start to change for the better. Or do they...?
MY OPINION
This was a fun lil read. It was the perfect length and kept me engaged throughout. I have to admit, I'm a fan of the boss bitches link up for revenge trope - The Last Invitation, The Collective, and sorta kinda The Hit List all had similar themes and earned 4 stars from me.
As with the aforementioned, expect a lot of man-hating and take down the patriarchy talk. It is the motive for revenge so there's really no way around it. Yes, this story totally fantastical and over the top, but it was well-written, funny, and entertaining. No drunk or pill-poppin ladies here. We have baddies on baddies.
I really did not fucks with Dan lmao. Not Dan suddenly wanting kids because mommy dearest said so, even though they would've been homeless thanks to her. And I also didn't fuck with the constant diet/exercise talk. For a book that was all about women empowerment in the workplace, Nicole's fixation on "eating better" and exercise seemed counterproductive. Diet culture is so passe. Let's move on, PLEASE.
So tbh this was riding at a Honda Civic Reliable three, but that last page had me SHOOKETHHH. I literally did a double take. Now usually this kind of out-of-left-field shockeroo annoys me BUT Catherine McKenzie did leave some breadcrumbs behind, so yes, the math did math and I can support it.
Don't get it twisted and think this is a literary masterpiece; the message is simply and straightforward. It's an entertaining guilty pleasure read, perfect for weekend on the couch or pretending to parent at the park.
PROS AND CONS
PROS: fun read, well-paced, entertaining premise, funny at times, last page had me SHOOKETH
CONS: Dan, unnecessary diet/exercise talk that had NOTHING to do with the plot
January 26, 2025
**3.5-stars rounded up**
At 39-years old, Nicole Mueller's life is floundering. This is not where she pictured herself being at this point.
Once her law career seemed destined for greatness, but now she's been put on notice by her firm's senior partners. Making matters worse, Nicole and her husband, Dan, are soon to be displaced from the apartment that they love.
As Nicole's emotional level is reaching hopeless, she's thrown a bone by way of an invitation to join an exclusive women's networking group, Panthera Leo.
From what Nicole can tell, although membership is anonymous, every member is a successful business woman of one kind or another; think of the list of potential clients. This may be exactly what she needs to jump start her career.
After discussing it with Dan and despite his misgivings, Nicole accepts the invitation and signs up for the group's retreat in Colorado.
Once there she meets a very small, hand-selected group of women who will make up her Pride. As Nicole begins to learn the philosophy of the group, they stress one thing in particular, they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
As Nicole settles in and is cut off from the rest of the world, she begins to bond with these new women. It's hard to believe they were strangers such a short time ago.
Each day of the retreat the women are put through exercises and challenges that push them to interact and rely on one another. Their relationships develop quickly and deeply. It's a unique experience.
After Nicole gets home, she's surprised by how quickly she begins to reap the benefits of her new relationships. Things seem to be turning around, but then things turn a little too far.
Initially, Nicole enjoyed the new clients pushed her way from the other Pride members. Also, a new, gorgeous, modern apartment dropped in her lap, but when she gets called to one of the member's apartments late at night and she's pressed to help her cover up a very serious crime, her opinion shifts drastically.
From there we follow Nicole as she tries to decipher the truth behind Panthera Leo, including why she received an invitation in the first place.
Through her search for the truth, Nicole deep dives into the club and its members. She shocked by all she uncovers. It borders on diabolical. We're talking A Few Good Men levels of corruption and intensity.
While this did start out a little slow for me, I will say that McKenzie succeeded in building the intensity throughout the story. I do feel like everything she included, even the slower bits in the beginning, were necessary to build out this story.
Towards the very, very end, I felt it got a little chaotic. I had to reread a couple sections a few times in order to follow it. There were just a lot of characters and as you're watching them come together, it got to be a bit much right at the conclusion.
Overall, I did enjoy this. It was fun. I feel like I tend to pick up anything that is pitched to have a cult-like vibe, but I'm always disappointed.
This story did the most for me out of any recent books to claim that sort of atmosphere. I definitely felt the cultish influence and it had me freaked right out.
Our main character, Nicole, is an attorney and the way she goes about looking into Panthera Leo definitely lends a Legal Thriller feel to this story. I loved that aspect. That was probably my favorite part of the book.
I'm not sure if I am explaining that correctly, but I just loved following her as she began to unravel the truth behind this mysterious organization.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This is the first I have read from Catherine McKenzie, but it definitely won't be the last.
At 39-years old, Nicole Mueller's life is floundering. This is not where she pictured herself being at this point.
Once her law career seemed destined for greatness, but now she's been put on notice by her firm's senior partners. Making matters worse, Nicole and her husband, Dan, are soon to be displaced from the apartment that they love.
As Nicole's emotional level is reaching hopeless, she's thrown a bone by way of an invitation to join an exclusive women's networking group, Panthera Leo.
From what Nicole can tell, although membership is anonymous, every member is a successful business woman of one kind or another; think of the list of potential clients. This may be exactly what she needs to jump start her career.
After discussing it with Dan and despite his misgivings, Nicole accepts the invitation and signs up for the group's retreat in Colorado.
Once there she meets a very small, hand-selected group of women who will make up her Pride. As Nicole begins to learn the philosophy of the group, they stress one thing in particular, they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
As Nicole settles in and is cut off from the rest of the world, she begins to bond with these new women. It's hard to believe they were strangers such a short time ago.
Each day of the retreat the women are put through exercises and challenges that push them to interact and rely on one another. Their relationships develop quickly and deeply. It's a unique experience.
After Nicole gets home, she's surprised by how quickly she begins to reap the benefits of her new relationships. Things seem to be turning around, but then things turn a little too far.
Initially, Nicole enjoyed the new clients pushed her way from the other Pride members. Also, a new, gorgeous, modern apartment dropped in her lap, but when she gets called to one of the member's apartments late at night and she's pressed to help her cover up a very serious crime, her opinion shifts drastically.
From there we follow Nicole as she tries to decipher the truth behind Panthera Leo, including why she received an invitation in the first place.
Through her search for the truth, Nicole deep dives into the club and its members. She shocked by all she uncovers. It borders on diabolical. We're talking A Few Good Men levels of corruption and intensity.
While this did start out a little slow for me, I will say that McKenzie succeeded in building the intensity throughout the story. I do feel like everything she included, even the slower bits in the beginning, were necessary to build out this story.
Towards the very, very end, I felt it got a little chaotic. I had to reread a couple sections a few times in order to follow it. There were just a lot of characters and as you're watching them come together, it got to be a bit much right at the conclusion.
Overall, I did enjoy this. It was fun. I feel like I tend to pick up anything that is pitched to have a cult-like vibe, but I'm always disappointed.
This story did the most for me out of any recent books to claim that sort of atmosphere. I definitely felt the cultish influence and it had me freaked right out.
Our main character, Nicole, is an attorney and the way she goes about looking into Panthera Leo definitely lends a Legal Thriller feel to this story. I loved that aspect. That was probably my favorite part of the book.
I'm not sure if I am explaining that correctly, but I just loved following her as she began to unravel the truth behind this mysterious organization.
Thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This is the first I have read from Catherine McKenzie, but it definitely won't be the last.
June 13, 2022
I wasn't the biggest fan of McKenzie's previous book, but I really enjoyed my experience with this one.
On the surface, it is a book about a highly selective club for women that helps the members to empower each other in a world focused on the "Good Ol' Boys" mentality. Nicole is an attorney who is struggling to carve out a niche in her law firm when things are stacked against her. She's invited to join Panthera Leo, and heads to a weekend retreat in Colorado. the membership is highly exclusive and secretive, but soon after the retreat Nicole begins to see the positive results. Yet, there's a sinister undertone to the club, and the deeper she gets involved, the more frightening and dangerous it becomes.
I liked the various twists in this book, some I saw coming and others I didn't. The book overall reminded me a lot of The Firm, and the pacing is quick and kept me invested throughout. You know from the prologue that there's a huge event coming up, and I appreciated the build up to the event and then the aftereffects. I liked Nicole and her relationship with Dan, he kept the book from becoming too much of an "all men are awful" cliched trope.
Overall, this was a fun twisty ride and I enjoyed my reading experience.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
On the surface, it is a book about a highly selective club for women that helps the members to empower each other in a world focused on the "Good Ol' Boys" mentality. Nicole is an attorney who is struggling to carve out a niche in her law firm when things are stacked against her. She's invited to join Panthera Leo, and heads to a weekend retreat in Colorado. the membership is highly exclusive and secretive, but soon after the retreat Nicole begins to see the positive results. Yet, there's a sinister undertone to the club, and the deeper she gets involved, the more frightening and dangerous it becomes.
I liked the various twists in this book, some I saw coming and others I didn't. The book overall reminded me a lot of The Firm, and the pacing is quick and kept me invested throughout. You know from the prologue that there's a huge event coming up, and I appreciated the build up to the event and then the aftereffects. I liked Nicole and her relationship with Dan, he kept the book from becoming too much of an "all men are awful" cliched trope.
Overall, this was a fun twisty ride and I enjoyed my reading experience.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 27, 2021
Girls Club.
While some readers gravitate to missing person or unreliable narrator themes, I love stories about educated professional women - and if they're also lawyers, so much the better.
I love strategists with legal and financial sector stories checking numerous boxes as they usually provide twisty complicated scenarios per 'The Sting'.
So I admit it, I have a type.
Protagonist Nicole was someone I could really get behind. She’s worked furiously to become a partner in her law firm and at thirty nine, she’s the pinnacle of success. Until one day her mentor tells her she’s falling short.
In an effort to improve her contacts and create billable hours, she joins a female networking group with the meet and greet being at a retreat in Colorado. While she’s there, she has numerous questions as to why she was chosen but few answers are forthcoming.
The book does a fantastic job weaving a story while withholding information. I could sense Nicole’s increasing unease as she contemplated her options.
Although billed as a thriller, I loved the chess-like feel with characters attempting to outwit each other. The final third of the book was especially entertaining with many of the elements I love.
No graphic violence here, but I have to mention for animal lovers that a deer came to a quick but unfortunate end near the beginning.
Thank you to Atria Books, Catherine McKenzie, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an Advance Electronic Copy. Set to publish on May 22, 2022
While some readers gravitate to missing person or unreliable narrator themes, I love stories about educated professional women - and if they're also lawyers, so much the better.
I love strategists with legal and financial sector stories checking numerous boxes as they usually provide twisty complicated scenarios per 'The Sting'.
So I admit it, I have a type.
Protagonist Nicole was someone I could really get behind. She’s worked furiously to become a partner in her law firm and at thirty nine, she’s the pinnacle of success. Until one day her mentor tells her she’s falling short.
In an effort to improve her contacts and create billable hours, she joins a female networking group with the meet and greet being at a retreat in Colorado. While she’s there, she has numerous questions as to why she was chosen but few answers are forthcoming.
The book does a fantastic job weaving a story while withholding information. I could sense Nicole’s increasing unease as she contemplated her options.
Although billed as a thriller, I loved the chess-like feel with characters attempting to outwit each other. The final third of the book was especially entertaining with many of the elements I love.
No graphic violence here, but I have to mention for animal lovers that a deer came to a quick but unfortunate end near the beginning.
Thank you to Atria Books, Catherine McKenzie, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an Advance Electronic Copy. Set to publish on May 22, 2022
February 27, 2022
We seem to build too many walls and not enough bridges in life. And what are we actually protecting behind those walls?
My guess? All those secrets that got us here in the first place.
Catherine McKenzie can always be counted on for her uncanny ability to tell a good tale. She's shining a spotlight on the rungs of the corporate ladder here. The Good Ol' Boy system that doesn't blink an eye when it comes to advancements and successes based on who you know and what the depth of your finesse is at playing the game. Please Join Us crosses the street and enters the grasslands of the female huntress long forgotten on the plains of the corporate world.
Nicole Mueller, a 39 year old Yale graduate and partner in a prestigious New York City law firm, has just been informed that her billing hours are not up to snuff. It's a warning that the next step will be a downgrade or the door. Nicole and her lawyer husband, Dan, are also contending with the loss of their apartment on the Upper West side. Ol' Aunt Penny's promise to make their ownership official didn't happen in her Will. And will their marriage survive the tension at hand?
Like a spark of light, Nicole receives an invitation to join a professional women's support group called Panthera Leo. She's whisked off to a ranch outside of Aspen. Together with other women, Nicole will gather tools to advance herself.......some spot-on and some left to questionable means. No one is more surprised than Nicole as doors begin to open for her and opportunities avail themselves. Nicole's confidence builds. Her intent is to fix the broken parts of her life and find contentment thereafter. But as the storyline advances, we find Nicole not so sure that her feet are on solid ground anymore.
Please Join Us visits upon the exclusivity of these organizations that draw members in with the promise that networking is the goal and not a means unto itself. And what is measured in that Shakespearean pound of flesh? Just mine or yours? Nicole must weigh her options mightily. Has she played the game or has the game played her? Catherine McKenzie presents a novel perfectly open for discussion in today's world. I recommend it for those who like to take on a smart read. So please join in.
I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss for an honest review. My thanks to Simon & Schuster and to the talented Catherine McKenzie for the opportunity.
My guess? All those secrets that got us here in the first place.
Catherine McKenzie can always be counted on for her uncanny ability to tell a good tale. She's shining a spotlight on the rungs of the corporate ladder here. The Good Ol' Boy system that doesn't blink an eye when it comes to advancements and successes based on who you know and what the depth of your finesse is at playing the game. Please Join Us crosses the street and enters the grasslands of the female huntress long forgotten on the plains of the corporate world.
Nicole Mueller, a 39 year old Yale graduate and partner in a prestigious New York City law firm, has just been informed that her billing hours are not up to snuff. It's a warning that the next step will be a downgrade or the door. Nicole and her lawyer husband, Dan, are also contending with the loss of their apartment on the Upper West side. Ol' Aunt Penny's promise to make their ownership official didn't happen in her Will. And will their marriage survive the tension at hand?
Like a spark of light, Nicole receives an invitation to join a professional women's support group called Panthera Leo. She's whisked off to a ranch outside of Aspen. Together with other women, Nicole will gather tools to advance herself.......some spot-on and some left to questionable means. No one is more surprised than Nicole as doors begin to open for her and opportunities avail themselves. Nicole's confidence builds. Her intent is to fix the broken parts of her life and find contentment thereafter. But as the storyline advances, we find Nicole not so sure that her feet are on solid ground anymore.
Please Join Us visits upon the exclusivity of these organizations that draw members in with the promise that networking is the goal and not a means unto itself. And what is measured in that Shakespearean pound of flesh? Just mine or yours? Nicole must weigh her options mightily. Has she played the game or has the game played her? Catherine McKenzie presents a novel perfectly open for discussion in today's world. I recommend it for those who like to take on a smart read. So please join in.
I received a copy of this book through Edelweiss for an honest review. My thanks to Simon & Schuster and to the talented Catherine McKenzie for the opportunity.
August 22, 2022
Nicole Mueller is having a rough go of it. She has been basically demoted at work and she and her husband, Dan may have to leave the apartment they live in. Stressed out and worried for the future, Nicole receives an invitation to join an inclusive networking group of women. Could this be a step in the right direction? The membership is anonymous but successful women are said to be members. She is optimistic but Dan feels this elite group may be a cult. It's not - it's a pride.
After attending the retreat in Colorado, things begin to look up for Nicole. Sure, she may have to help other women out with favors, but life is good. She has a new home, is making money but then a call comes in.....
I found this to be a fast entertaining read. It doesn't take much thought, just to sit back and enjoy watching a Nicole is tested. I especially enjoyed the twists at the end.
Entertaining fast read which doesn't disappoint.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
After attending the retreat in Colorado, things begin to look up for Nicole. Sure, she may have to help other women out with favors, but life is good. She has a new home, is making money but then a call comes in.....
I found this to be a fast entertaining read. It doesn't take much thought, just to sit back and enjoy watching a Nicole is tested. I especially enjoyed the twists at the end.
Entertaining fast read which doesn't disappoint.
3.5 stars
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 25, 2022
I’ve been a huge fan of Catherine McKenzie, so I was fully expecting to enjoy this. And I did appreciate the premise of a need for a “women’s club” to counteract the old boys’ club that helps men get ahead in their careers. But from the get go, this one felt off.
Nicole is a hard working lawyer who isn’t being rewarded as she believes she should be. So, when she gets an invitation to join Panthera Leo, she jumps at the invitation. The premise is that this pride of Lionesses will do anything for each other, no questions asked. The story is told from a then and now timeframe. We see Nicole go through the retreat, with its initial tests and challenges. Present day, she’s called to the apartment of one of the Pride members, where there’s a dead body.
I didn’t care for Nicole. Initially she seemed too wishy washy and insecure, although she finally grew a backbone. But she never comes across as having any depth. And the other characters are totally two dimensional. I also didn’t find the plot at all believable. Small things at first, like how the women have so much time to get together and then the plot goes totally OTT. This was so unbelievable as to become groan worthy.
The book covers the idea that everything comes with a price. It also covers sexual harassment and #metoo, but not from a good side/bad side perspective.
The writing style here is also a little weird. Mackenzie repeatedly uses lists to rehash what has gone before and to rush the plot along.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
Nicole is a hard working lawyer who isn’t being rewarded as she believes she should be. So, when she gets an invitation to join Panthera Leo, she jumps at the invitation. The premise is that this pride of Lionesses will do anything for each other, no questions asked. The story is told from a then and now timeframe. We see Nicole go through the retreat, with its initial tests and challenges. Present day, she’s called to the apartment of one of the Pride members, where there’s a dead body.
I didn’t care for Nicole. Initially she seemed too wishy washy and insecure, although she finally grew a backbone. But she never comes across as having any depth. And the other characters are totally two dimensional. I also didn’t find the plot at all believable. Small things at first, like how the women have so much time to get together and then the plot goes totally OTT. This was so unbelievable as to become groan worthy.
The book covers the idea that everything comes with a price. It also covers sexual harassment and #metoo, but not from a good side/bad side perspective.
The writing style here is also a little weird. Mackenzie repeatedly uses lists to rehash what has gone before and to rush the plot along.
My thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an advance copy of this book.
October 18, 2021
Friends! I am so excited to announce my 13th novel, PLEASE JOIN US! LUCKY 13?? I poured my heart and soul into this novel about a women's network gone wrong and I hope you will love Nicole, Athena, Connie, Samantha, Michelle and Karma as much as I do!!
More to come, but in the meantime, please add the book to your to-read pile!
A “propulsive thriller about secret organizations, hidden agendas, and the lengths one woman will go to reclaim her life” (Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me) from internationally bestselling author of Six Weeks to Live.
At thirty-nine, Nicole Muller’s life is on the rocks. Her once brilliant law career is falling apart. Her friends are all having babies before they turn forty, while she remains childless. She and her husband are soon to be forced out of the apartment they love. But after a warning from her firm’s senior partners, she receives an invitation from an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. Membership is anonymous, but every woman is a successful professional. And despite worries this group might be a cult, Nicole signs up for their retreat in Colorado.
Once there, she meets the other women who will make up her Pride. A CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, a congresswoman: Nicole can’t believe her luck. The founders of Panthera Leo are equally as impressive. They explain the group’s core philosophy: they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
Nicole is all in. And when she gets back home, she soon sees dividends. Her new network quickly provides her with clients that help her relaunch her career, and a great new apartment too. The favors she has to provide in return seem benign. But then she’s called to the congresswoman’s apartment late at night where she’s pressed into helping her cover up a crime. And suddenly concerns that something more sinister is at play seem all too relevant.
More to come, but in the meantime, please add the book to your to-read pile!
A “propulsive thriller about secret organizations, hidden agendas, and the lengths one woman will go to reclaim her life” (Laura Dave, author of The Last Thing He Told Me) from internationally bestselling author of Six Weeks to Live.
At thirty-nine, Nicole Muller’s life is on the rocks. Her once brilliant law career is falling apart. Her friends are all having babies before they turn forty, while she remains childless. She and her husband are soon to be forced out of the apartment they love. But after a warning from her firm’s senior partners, she receives an invitation from an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. Membership is anonymous, but every woman is a successful professional. And despite worries this group might be a cult, Nicole signs up for their retreat in Colorado.
Once there, she meets the other women who will make up her Pride. A CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, a congresswoman: Nicole can’t believe her luck. The founders of Panthera Leo are equally as impressive. They explain the group’s core philosophy: they’re a girl’s club in a boy’s club world.
Nicole is all in. And when she gets back home, she soon sees dividends. Her new network quickly provides her with clients that help her relaunch her career, and a great new apartment too. The favors she has to provide in return seem benign. But then she’s called to the congresswoman’s apartment late at night where she’s pressed into helping her cover up a crime. And suddenly concerns that something more sinister is at play seem all too relevant.
August 29, 2022
A “propulsive thriller about secret organizations, hidden agendas, and the lengths one woman will go to reclaim her life” (Laura Dave, author of Reese’s Book Club Pick The Last Thing He Told Me) from USA TODAY bestselling author Catherine McKenzie.”
Nicole’s life is crumbling. She’s losing her home; her law career is a mess. She’s invited to join an all women networking group and thinks this is the ticket to refueling her career. First thing to do is attend their retreat in Colorado. Once there, she finds just the connections and inspiration she was looking for, and once home, her career is righted thanks to the new networks of referrals.
In turn, she’s asked to one of her group member’s home late at night where a crime has been committed. Nicole is asked to “help.” Now she HAS to get herself out from under this group. The twist at the end made my head spin.
Please Join Us is a fresh and clever thriller, and I think it’s McKenzie’s best yet.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Nicole’s life is crumbling. She’s losing her home; her law career is a mess. She’s invited to join an all women networking group and thinks this is the ticket to refueling her career. First thing to do is attend their retreat in Colorado. Once there, she finds just the connections and inspiration she was looking for, and once home, her career is righted thanks to the new networks of referrals.
In turn, she’s asked to one of her group member’s home late at night where a crime has been committed. Nicole is asked to “help.” Now she HAS to get herself out from under this group. The twist at the end made my head spin.
Please Join Us is a fresh and clever thriller, and I think it’s McKenzie’s best yet.
I received a gifted copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
February 10, 2022
A sinister private women’s networking club reaches out to disgruntled lawyer Nicole with promises of success behind her wildest dreams, enduring and unconditional female support, and of course, overthrowing the patriarchy. With a side of murder. I guess I’m supposed to be scared, but I can only ask, how do I sign up?
Panthera Leo sends Nicole an invitation to join their ranks right after she has just received an unfair review from the men running her law firm’s partnership. Right off the bat I enjoyed Catherine McKenzie’s honest, straight up description of how hard it is to be a woman in a high-end, high-powered law firm. Been there. I could also definitely tell tell the author had either some personal experience or some top-notch research with this very real and very infuriating topic.
So when Panthera Leo comes calling and offers Nicole a personal “pride” of powerful lioness-like women who will unconditionally support, boost, and promote their sisters, Nicole accepts. Is the initiation ritual a little weird? Do the immediate perks seem a bit too good to be true? Is it a little strange these famous women (including a congresswoman, a powerful dot-commer and a well-known actress) have sought out a down-on-her luck random attorney? Yes, but no matter….life is quickly improving for Nicole. But what will be the cost?
I was wildly entertained by this novel, which was a great mix of reality (the frustrations and stumbling blocks that women still face in the world) and patriarchy-slaying wish-fulfillment. I loved the conspiracy theories, the clever business deals and angles, the fast-paced litigation story and the crackling action. If I was slightly disappointed with the ending, which strayed a little bit from the female empowerment fun and descended into a bit of predictable cliche, I could forgive it, because the rest of the book was such well-plotted, action-packed fun with tongue planted firmly in cheek. I enjoyed the book’s well-placed outlets for feminine anger at the way we are treated in corporate America.
Loved the book, the characters, and the entertainment. Ms. McKenzie can write a whip-smart heroine and a high-octane, intelligent plot. I won’t be forgetting this girls’ club anytime soon.
To any Panthera Leo members who may be reading this review, I’m still waiting for my invite. Inbox me for my email.
Thanks to Atria Books, Catherine McKenzie and NetGalley for the great ARC. 4.5 stars!
Panthera Leo sends Nicole an invitation to join their ranks right after she has just received an unfair review from the men running her law firm’s partnership. Right off the bat I enjoyed Catherine McKenzie’s honest, straight up description of how hard it is to be a woman in a high-end, high-powered law firm. Been there. I could also definitely tell tell the author had either some personal experience or some top-notch research with this very real and very infuriating topic.
So when Panthera Leo comes calling and offers Nicole a personal “pride” of powerful lioness-like women who will unconditionally support, boost, and promote their sisters, Nicole accepts. Is the initiation ritual a little weird? Do the immediate perks seem a bit too good to be true? Is it a little strange these famous women (including a congresswoman, a powerful dot-commer and a well-known actress) have sought out a down-on-her luck random attorney? Yes, but no matter….life is quickly improving for Nicole. But what will be the cost?
I was wildly entertained by this novel, which was a great mix of reality (the frustrations and stumbling blocks that women still face in the world) and patriarchy-slaying wish-fulfillment. I loved the conspiracy theories, the clever business deals and angles, the fast-paced litigation story and the crackling action. If I was slightly disappointed with the ending, which strayed a little bit from the female empowerment fun and descended into a bit of predictable cliche, I could forgive it, because the rest of the book was such well-plotted, action-packed fun with tongue planted firmly in cheek. I enjoyed the book’s well-placed outlets for feminine anger at the way we are treated in corporate America.
Loved the book, the characters, and the entertainment. Ms. McKenzie can write a whip-smart heroine and a high-octane, intelligent plot. I won’t be forgetting this girls’ club anytime soon.
To any Panthera Leo members who may be reading this review, I’m still waiting for my invite. Inbox me for my email.
Thanks to Atria Books, Catherine McKenzie and NetGalley for the great ARC. 4.5 stars!
September 22, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Nicole Mueller is a 39 year old hard working lawyer whose career has been on the rise until an unfortunate turn of events leads to her being placed in the ‘loser tier’ at her high powered, pressured company. She rails against the boys club (yeah well, we’ve all been there and felt it 😬😡) but maybe there’s an opportunity to fight back against it. I’m in. Hold that thought Ceecee. She’s invited to attend a course in Colorado at the invitation of Panthera Leo run by Michelle and Karma. Very successful women. As we all know in the pride it’s the female lion that gets things done. Nicole is invited to join this Pride. However, has Nicole made a pact with she lions doing all they can to stand up for themselves in a man’s world or has she made a pact with the she-devils?? As the song goes ‘the female of the species is more deadly than the male’…….
I love the premise and the thought of kicking SOME men where it hurts is very appealing 🤣!! The pacing rises and falls somewhat in the first half but it stays pretty consistent in the second where there are plenty of good twists. None of the characters are especially likeable but it does make for good entertainment!
Overall, some delicious moments as well as food for thought.
Kindle Unlimited
Nicole Mueller is a 39 year old hard working lawyer whose career has been on the rise until an unfortunate turn of events leads to her being placed in the ‘loser tier’ at her high powered, pressured company. She rails against the boys club (yeah well, we’ve all been there and felt it 😬😡) but maybe there’s an opportunity to fight back against it. I’m in. Hold that thought Ceecee. She’s invited to attend a course in Colorado at the invitation of Panthera Leo run by Michelle and Karma. Very successful women. As we all know in the pride it’s the female lion that gets things done. Nicole is invited to join this Pride. However, has Nicole made a pact with she lions doing all they can to stand up for themselves in a man’s world or has she made a pact with the she-devils?? As the song goes ‘the female of the species is more deadly than the male’…….
I love the premise and the thought of kicking SOME men where it hurts is very appealing 🤣!! The pacing rises and falls somewhat in the first half but it stays pretty consistent in the second where there are plenty of good twists. None of the characters are especially likeable but it does make for good entertainment!
Overall, some delicious moments as well as food for thought.
Kindle Unlimited
December 17, 2022
I've been a fan of Catherine McKenzie for many years and have read most of her books, and while this wasn't my favorite one, it does showcase her incredible talent in executing some flawless twists. Nicole was a fairly unlikable character, which made it difficult to connect with her on the level I would have expected, but again, the twists at the end more than made up for the slow pace for the first two thirds of the story. I'll be eagerly awaiting the author's next release!
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
September 21, 2022
Please Join Us had lots of elements I’m drawn to in fictional stories — Corporate culture, some mystery, undertones of a cult, and I flew through the first 100ish pages in one sitting.
Nicole is on thin ice at her law firm — The demands are high, she’s barely scraping by, and her and her husband Dan will likely be forced to leave their apartment they love soon. Nicole receives an invitation to an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. While Dan is cautious, Nicole figures at this point, she has nothing to lose and agrees to attend a PL retreat in Colorado.
Once Nicole is back home in NY, the PL demands start coming in quick and the stakes aren’t small. Some coincidences seem too good to be true while others make her second guess the requests she’s receiving from the group. Nicole is summoned to a politician’s home where a crime has taken place and she must decide how deep and committed to PL she’s really willing to go.
A sense of doom is slowly building from the beginning of Please Join Us and while I stayed curious to see where things were headed, I eventually felt the story starting to drag a little. It became very heavy on corporate and deal jargon, and I was losing interest in attempting to follow this particular storyline. The ending felt anticlimactic after a big buildup, so despite a strong start, the book fell a bit flat for me.
Nicole is on thin ice at her law firm — The demands are high, she’s barely scraping by, and her and her husband Dan will likely be forced to leave their apartment they love soon. Nicole receives an invitation to an exclusive women’s networking group, Panthera Leo. While Dan is cautious, Nicole figures at this point, she has nothing to lose and agrees to attend a PL retreat in Colorado.
Once Nicole is back home in NY, the PL demands start coming in quick and the stakes aren’t small. Some coincidences seem too good to be true while others make her second guess the requests she’s receiving from the group. Nicole is summoned to a politician’s home where a crime has taken place and she must decide how deep and committed to PL she’s really willing to go.
A sense of doom is slowly building from the beginning of Please Join Us and while I stayed curious to see where things were headed, I eventually felt the story starting to drag a little. It became very heavy on corporate and deal jargon, and I was losing interest in attempting to follow this particular storyline. The ending felt anticlimactic after a big buildup, so despite a strong start, the book fell a bit flat for me.
January 17, 2024
Note: I received a free copy of this book. In exchange here is my honest review.
An okay thriller 🫣 A me too woman’s cult 😬 Kinda hard for me to get into. 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you @goodreads @catherinemckenzieauthor and @atriabooks #goodreadsgiveaway
An okay thriller 🫣 A me too woman’s cult 😬 Kinda hard for me to get into. 🤷🏼♀️
Thank you @goodreads @catherinemckenzieauthor and @atriabooks #goodreadsgiveaway
July 27, 2022
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Catherine McKenzie, and Atria Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
When granted the chance to read Catherine McKenzie’s latest novel, I eagerly reached for the ARC. McKenzie weaves a great story that impacts the reader from the opening pages and grips them throughout the reading experience. Able to create a stellar read in a standalone thriller, Catherine McKenzie is one author worth noting for those who have yet to discover her magic. Happy to see she successfully penned Book #13!
Nicole Mueller has come to a crossroads in her life, with a career that seems not to be moving forward and a marriage that is not as exciting as it had once been. As she debates her options, the thirty-nine year old begins to realise that she desperately needs a change, which may be coming sooner, as her law firm is tightening its belt.
Nicole receives a cryptic email about Panthera Leo and how they would like to recruit her to join. They promise a great deal of success and connections, as long as she agrees to attend a retreat in rural Colorado. While Nicole’s husband, Dan, thinks that it is all a cult, Nicole is intrigued and agrees to attend. Nicole can only hope of opening new doors for her professional and personal lives with this weekend away.
After returning from Colorado, Nicole feels a sense of closeness with her ’pride’ the others in the group who attended the weekend. She hopes that her return to New York will be fruitful and that she can reap the benefits. As things begin to fall into place, Nicole has high hopes for Panthera Leo, though her questions are constantly shot down. All she must remember is never to decline an offer made or a request to assist others in the pride.
When one of the other pride members calls for assistance, Nicole is quick to head over. However, the legality of what is going on leaves her wondering if she might have made a poor decision. Nicole wants out and will take her old life once more, provided she can find a means of escape. As in the wild, leaving the pride is not that simple and could be a matter of life or death. McKenzie pens another great thriller sure to impress the attentive reader.
I have long come to enjoy the work of Catherine McKenzie, who is able to cobble together some great storytelling in a standalone thriller. She’s on point and keeps the reader engaged, while tackling some issues of the day in a flawless manner. Her narrative flows well and keeps the story moving along, with great plot twists throughout. I’m eager to keep reading anything she has to offer.
Catherine McKenzie has a way with her storytelling that helps keep the reader involved in the story. This could have something to do with her strong narrative, which takes the reader on quite the journey, or even with well-developed characters that popular many of the pages of the book. McKenzie’s able to use strong plot twists throughout to keep the reader from being able to predict the outcome, while offering teasers throughout. Perhaps one thing that did not mesh well with me in the narrative was how Nicole would commonly list things she had done, “called Dan, checked the dry-cleaning, ordered dinner” rather than letting the narrative explore them. With hyphens to denote the actual list nature of this in the story, it appeared McKenzie wanted to clip the word count or keep from having to develop these acts, some of which were non-essential to the larger plot. Other than that, I was fully engaged with the story and could not have asked for more.
Kudos, Madam McKenzie, for another great novel. I am eager to see what else you have coming, as your books always put me in a wonderful mindset.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
When granted the chance to read Catherine McKenzie’s latest novel, I eagerly reached for the ARC. McKenzie weaves a great story that impacts the reader from the opening pages and grips them throughout the reading experience. Able to create a stellar read in a standalone thriller, Catherine McKenzie is one author worth noting for those who have yet to discover her magic. Happy to see she successfully penned Book #13!
Nicole Mueller has come to a crossroads in her life, with a career that seems not to be moving forward and a marriage that is not as exciting as it had once been. As she debates her options, the thirty-nine year old begins to realise that she desperately needs a change, which may be coming sooner, as her law firm is tightening its belt.
Nicole receives a cryptic email about Panthera Leo and how they would like to recruit her to join. They promise a great deal of success and connections, as long as she agrees to attend a retreat in rural Colorado. While Nicole’s husband, Dan, thinks that it is all a cult, Nicole is intrigued and agrees to attend. Nicole can only hope of opening new doors for her professional and personal lives with this weekend away.
After returning from Colorado, Nicole feels a sense of closeness with her ’pride’ the others in the group who attended the weekend. She hopes that her return to New York will be fruitful and that she can reap the benefits. As things begin to fall into place, Nicole has high hopes for Panthera Leo, though her questions are constantly shot down. All she must remember is never to decline an offer made or a request to assist others in the pride.
When one of the other pride members calls for assistance, Nicole is quick to head over. However, the legality of what is going on leaves her wondering if she might have made a poor decision. Nicole wants out and will take her old life once more, provided she can find a means of escape. As in the wild, leaving the pride is not that simple and could be a matter of life or death. McKenzie pens another great thriller sure to impress the attentive reader.
I have long come to enjoy the work of Catherine McKenzie, who is able to cobble together some great storytelling in a standalone thriller. She’s on point and keeps the reader engaged, while tackling some issues of the day in a flawless manner. Her narrative flows well and keeps the story moving along, with great plot twists throughout. I’m eager to keep reading anything she has to offer.
Catherine McKenzie has a way with her storytelling that helps keep the reader involved in the story. This could have something to do with her strong narrative, which takes the reader on quite the journey, or even with well-developed characters that popular many of the pages of the book. McKenzie’s able to use strong plot twists throughout to keep the reader from being able to predict the outcome, while offering teasers throughout. Perhaps one thing that did not mesh well with me in the narrative was how Nicole would commonly list things she had done, “called Dan, checked the dry-cleaning, ordered dinner” rather than letting the narrative explore them. With hyphens to denote the actual list nature of this in the story, it appeared McKenzie wanted to clip the word count or keep from having to develop these acts, some of which were non-essential to the larger plot. Other than that, I was fully engaged with the story and could not have asked for more.
Kudos, Madam McKenzie, for another great novel. I am eager to see what else you have coming, as your books always put me in a wonderful mindset.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
June 14, 2023
An elite woman’s empowerment group. A desperate female attorney. The benefits that joining brings her. But is there a catch?
Nicole Mueller is an attorney at a prestigious law firm in New York City, but her job may be in jeopardy. Willing to try anything to help, she accepts an invitation to Panthera Leo, an exclusive women’s networking group, that pledges to give women a leg up in the “boy’s club” corporate ladder. And shortly after joining, all of the promises come to fruition. But at what cost do these gains have? And what will happen if she doesn’t do what they want?
Wow! I’ve loved many of Catherine McKenzie’s books, but this one was a standout. A legal thriller reminiscent of John Grisham’s The Firm, Please Join Us is a twisty and unexpectedly dark novel with a tangled web of lies, cover ups and deception that you’ll never see coming. I don’t want to say too much about this book because the reading experience is better if you go in without any preconceived ideas, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. It was a book I was able to lose myself in which is often missing from great books and the ending was spectacular and not at all what I suspected (it shocked the pants off me). With characters that are well-drawn and multidimensional, I was able to understand their motivations and actively rooted for Nicole to persevere. Additionally, the subject matter of female empowerment and the #MeToo movement is one that many will relate to. This was a fast-paced thriller that I finished in just over a day and I already wish I could read again blind. Pick it up today! Rating of 5 stars (would rate it higher if I could).
Nicole Mueller is an attorney at a prestigious law firm in New York City, but her job may be in jeopardy. Willing to try anything to help, she accepts an invitation to Panthera Leo, an exclusive women’s networking group, that pledges to give women a leg up in the “boy’s club” corporate ladder. And shortly after joining, all of the promises come to fruition. But at what cost do these gains have? And what will happen if she doesn’t do what they want?
Wow! I’ve loved many of Catherine McKenzie’s books, but this one was a standout. A legal thriller reminiscent of John Grisham’s The Firm, Please Join Us is a twisty and unexpectedly dark novel with a tangled web of lies, cover ups and deception that you’ll never see coming. I don’t want to say too much about this book because the reading experience is better if you go in without any preconceived ideas, so I’ll keep this short and sweet. It was a book I was able to lose myself in which is often missing from great books and the ending was spectacular and not at all what I suspected (it shocked the pants off me). With characters that are well-drawn and multidimensional, I was able to understand their motivations and actively rooted for Nicole to persevere. Additionally, the subject matter of female empowerment and the #MeToo movement is one that many will relate to. This was a fast-paced thriller that I finished in just over a day and I already wish I could read again blind. Pick it up today! Rating of 5 stars (would rate it higher if I could).
January 20, 2022
Stunning, propulsive, and sharp as a knife, Please Join Us is about a secret women’s group and the members determined to get ahead at all costs—just like men do. With a creeping sense of paranoia and full of surprising twists, this smart, feminist thriller explores women’s empowerment vs justice and the grey spaces we inhibit when success is on the line.
We follow Nicole Mueller, a hard working lawyer who’s falling behind at her law firm. Determined to find a way to succeed, she submits an application to join a women’s networking group. The corporate team-building retreat is filled with all sorts of strange things—hunting, bizarre rituals, testing endurance. But soon these aren’t the only bizarre things happening. When Nicole is called in to cover up a murder, she realizes that more than just her job is on the line.
This one's a knockout!
We follow Nicole Mueller, a hard working lawyer who’s falling behind at her law firm. Determined to find a way to succeed, she submits an application to join a women’s networking group. The corporate team-building retreat is filled with all sorts of strange things—hunting, bizarre rituals, testing endurance. But soon these aren’t the only bizarre things happening. When Nicole is called in to cover up a murder, she realizes that more than just her job is on the line.
This one's a knockout!
May 20, 2022
3.5 stars
Thanks to Atria Books for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
In her thirteenth novel, Catherine McKenzie creates another memorable suspense thriller about an ambitious female lawyer whose quest to reach the top of the ladder might result in a very uncertain future.
With the archive date fast approaching, I couldn't keep this book on the backburner one second more. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down as our main protagonist Nicole relays the story from "now" and " then." I felt myself with just enough of a dose of impatience and eagerness that I wanted to see how it played out. For the majority of the book, I felt I was on a fast paced rollercoaster, but I feel a little hesitancy on whether the ending worked for me or not. Not that it is the author's fault just my general feeling. Overall, I did enjoy the novel and I anticipate it will certainly climb its way to the top of the book charts in August.
Expected Publication 23/08/22
Goodreads review 20/05/22
Thanks to Atria Books for an egalley in exchange for an honest review
In her thirteenth novel, Catherine McKenzie creates another memorable suspense thriller about an ambitious female lawyer whose quest to reach the top of the ladder might result in a very uncertain future.
With the archive date fast approaching, I couldn't keep this book on the backburner one second more. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down as our main protagonist Nicole relays the story from "now" and " then." I felt myself with just enough of a dose of impatience and eagerness that I wanted to see how it played out. For the majority of the book, I felt I was on a fast paced rollercoaster, but I feel a little hesitancy on whether the ending worked for me or not. Not that it is the author's fault just my general feeling. Overall, I did enjoy the novel and I anticipate it will certainly climb its way to the top of the book charts in August.
Expected Publication 23/08/22
Goodreads review 20/05/22
January 30, 2022
All at once, Nicole Mueller’s once successful life begins crumbling around her. Her law firm’s senior partners threaten her that if she doesn’t up her billable hours, she could be starting her career over at the age of 39. The New York apartment she shares with her husband could be taken away if the will from the aunt who has let them live there doesn’t clearly state they should have the opportunity to buy it at a rate they can afford—they may be talented lawyers, but Ivy-league educations don’t pay for themselves. So when an opportunity to join an all-women’s networking group arrives in her inbox, she decides to take a chance on something she would normally be wary about.
At first, what she has to do to be part of the group seems innocuous enough considering the benefits she gets, but Nicole is ultimately asked to go too far. Now she has to figure out how she get out of this group that she has become so entwined with.
This is a twisty mystery that highlights the challenges of being female in the workplace—any workplace. Some things stretch the imagination, but all in all it’s a fun, plot-driven read, and I identify with Nicole’s character.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MAY 24, 2022.
At first, what she has to do to be part of the group seems innocuous enough considering the benefits she gets, but Nicole is ultimately asked to go too far. Now she has to figure out how she get out of this group that she has become so entwined with.
This is a twisty mystery that highlights the challenges of being female in the workplace—any workplace. Some things stretch the imagination, but all in all it’s a fun, plot-driven read, and I identify with Nicole’s character.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES MAY 24, 2022.
November 5, 2021
A dead body, a secret society that demands obedience, and a talented attorney determined to get ahead—what could possibly go wrong? McKenzie shines with Please Join Us, a tense, whip-smart tale of ambition, loyalty, and ethics, and how personal boundaries can turn hazy when success is on the line. A perfectly plotted stunner.
June 23, 2023
Bestselling Author Catherine McKenzie returns with her 13th novel, a dazzling psychological suspense thriller, PLEASE JOIN US —with an exclusive invitation to a secret women's networking group that will change the course of one woman's life.
Nicole Muller once had a brilliant law career. Now at age 39, she and her husband, Dan, will be forced out of their apartment and a warning from her firm's senior partner.
Then she receives a mysterious invitation to join a group, Panthera Leo. All the members are successful women professionals; maybe this might be the thing she needs to get back on track with contacts.
They are a girls club in a boy's world. Her hubby is more concerned this may be a cult. Nicole moves forward and joins the retreat in Colorado.
All seems too good to be true, with great perks until she is asked to do things that turn more sinister, like covering up crimes.
Juicy REVENGE for all the women in the good old boy network! From deceit, lies, and cover-ups, a chilling roller coaster ride of women's empowerment in a man's world. They will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Wow! Directly after reading PLEASE JOIN US, I started John Grisham's ARC legal thriller (10/18) The Boys from Biloxi (the good ole' boys and all their dirty nasty deeds), and would love to see these women let loose in the man's world of the Deep South in the 1950-1970s! That would be a story.
I love legal thrillers or any books with attorneys, injustice, or the legal system. McKenzie, a former attorney, knows her way around the legal world, and the characters are relatable and engaging. A fast-paced thriller of hidden agendas, deceit, dark secrets, and ferocious women who are determined to go after and even take what they feel they deserve.
A twisty ending! If you enjoy it when lines are blurred, shades of gray, morality, power imbalances between men and women in the workplace, justice, and revenge, this one is for you!
Thanks to #AtriaBooks and #NetGalley for a gifted e-ARC.
Blog Review Posted
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 23, 2022
Aug 2022 Must-Read Books
Nicole Muller once had a brilliant law career. Now at age 39, she and her husband, Dan, will be forced out of their apartment and a warning from her firm's senior partner.
Then she receives a mysterious invitation to join a group, Panthera Leo. All the members are successful women professionals; maybe this might be the thing she needs to get back on track with contacts.
They are a girls club in a boy's world. Her hubby is more concerned this may be a cult. Nicole moves forward and joins the retreat in Colorado.
All seems too good to be true, with great perks until she is asked to do things that turn more sinister, like covering up crimes.
Juicy REVENGE for all the women in the good old boy network! From deceit, lies, and cover-ups, a chilling roller coaster ride of women's empowerment in a man's world. They will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Wow! Directly after reading PLEASE JOIN US, I started John Grisham's ARC legal thriller (10/18) The Boys from Biloxi (the good ole' boys and all their dirty nasty deeds), and would love to see these women let loose in the man's world of the Deep South in the 1950-1970s! That would be a story.
I love legal thrillers or any books with attorneys, injustice, or the legal system. McKenzie, a former attorney, knows her way around the legal world, and the characters are relatable and engaging. A fast-paced thriller of hidden agendas, deceit, dark secrets, and ferocious women who are determined to go after and even take what they feel they deserve.
A twisty ending! If you enjoy it when lines are blurred, shades of gray, morality, power imbalances between men and women in the workplace, justice, and revenge, this one is for you!
Thanks to #AtriaBooks and #NetGalley for a gifted e-ARC.
Blog Review Posted
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 23, 2022
Aug 2022 Must-Read Books
July 3, 2022
This started off with a bang! I was hooked then it kind of slowed down during part 1 and could not hold my attention it was a bit boring until Part 2.,.
Let me take a few steps back to explain plot …..Nicole is a high end lawyer that gets a bad performance review after busting her butt for years at her firm, that is man driven and an ole boys club kinda deal. She receives an email that asks her to visit a corporate retreat to help build her skills . Puurrfect timing right? Hmmm. She boards a plane to Colorado for a retreat with other influential women that she forms a bond with then goes home but keeps in touch…..gotta be a catch right?
Part 1…so slow it took me over a week to get engaged
Part 2…. Ok engaged!
This basically is women forming a bond to take down a corporate man’s world. I was not enjoying the first half but second had potential and how all the players were aligned captivated me but the cult aspect deterred me.I did like how it all was connected but seemed contrived,
Quick read for sure but I think it’s only for the right audience. The ending seemed convenient and tied up too smoothly.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for my advanced copy
Let me take a few steps back to explain plot …..Nicole is a high end lawyer that gets a bad performance review after busting her butt for years at her firm, that is man driven and an ole boys club kinda deal. She receives an email that asks her to visit a corporate retreat to help build her skills . Puurrfect timing right? Hmmm. She boards a plane to Colorado for a retreat with other influential women that she forms a bond with then goes home but keeps in touch…..gotta be a catch right?
Part 1…so slow it took me over a week to get engaged
Part 2…. Ok engaged!
This basically is women forming a bond to take down a corporate man’s world. I was not enjoying the first half but second had potential and how all the players were aligned captivated me but the cult aspect deterred me.I did like how it all was connected but seemed contrived,
Quick read for sure but I think it’s only for the right audience. The ending seemed convenient and tied up too smoothly.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for my advanced copy
November 27, 2021
This was a fast paced read, centered on Nicole, who joins what she thinks is a “networking group”, only to determine there is an ulterior motive. While this genre has been done before, I thought the author did a good job at getting the reader to understand how a smart woman like Nicole could get dragged into something behind her control.
The story is engaging from the beginning, and I felt like I could empathize with Nicole as she navigates her way through complex personal situations while figuring out what might really be going on in this group. When it’s all revealed, the motivation for everything that happened did seem a little far-fetched to me, but there was enough detail and background information to make it at least somewhat believable, which was very impressive.
Overall, this is a unique book that reads a bit like a legal thriller while also kind of a like a psychological thriller. It’s a unique take on a common theme and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story is engaging from the beginning, and I felt like I could empathize with Nicole as she navigates her way through complex personal situations while figuring out what might really be going on in this group. When it’s all revealed, the motivation for everything that happened did seem a little far-fetched to me, but there was enough detail and background information to make it at least somewhat believable, which was very impressive.
Overall, this is a unique book that reads a bit like a legal thriller while also kind of a like a psychological thriller. It’s a unique take on a common theme and I enjoyed it. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 5, 2022
“What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Brainwashing, branding, sex trafficking.”
The Firm, but with 100% more vagina and 100% less Tom Cruise run . . . .
At this point I think it’s safe to say I’ll read anything that even hints to having some sort of “cultish” mindset attached to it. The twists and revelations here weren’t anything I couldn’t’ see coming, but it was a satisfactory read and, unfortunately, the big law firm stuff regarding being top dog one day only to quite possibly sink right back to the bottom of the barrel should your productivity fall off was pretty much spot on.
“Brainwashing, branding, sex trafficking.”
The Firm, but with 100% more vagina and 100% less Tom Cruise run . . . .
At this point I think it’s safe to say I’ll read anything that even hints to having some sort of “cultish” mindset attached to it. The twists and revelations here weren’t anything I couldn’t’ see coming, but it was a satisfactory read and, unfortunately, the big law firm stuff regarding being top dog one day only to quite possibly sink right back to the bottom of the barrel should your productivity fall off was pretty much spot on.
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