I typically really enjoy Catherine McKenzie's books, but this book about a cult group and the Me Too Movement fell a bit short for me. When Nicole Mueller is not awarded the partnership level at her law firm, she is discouraged. She doesn't understand - she had the billable hours, she has done the extra work. So, now she is at a crossroads. Surprisingly, she receives an invitation from Panthera Leo, a group of women that she believes will bring in more business for her. She goes to their retreat, and meets several prominent women. But, what she doesn't know is that she is a pawn in their plan to exact revenge on men they believe wronged them.
The positive things - the book read quickly, the plot was well planned.
The negative - I just didn't believe it, and I wanted a more psychological feel to it. ( )

What a book! Another fun read and a unique concept. Loved watching Nicole maneuver through Panthera and all their shenanigans.

First read of mine by this author and sure won’t be my last 5 star !! ( )

I just couldn't get into this one as much as the author's previous book. It spent too much time trying to convince me that Nicole was super intelligent, which she definitely wasn't, and not nearly enough time actually telling a story. I didn't feel quite enough suspense. ( )

Nicole has just received a bad review at work and it looks like she is going to have to step up her game or lose it all. So, when she is recruited by an exclusive networking group all about helping women succeed, she jumps at it. Her husband, Dan, calls it a cult. Nicole does not see it that way. She soon reaps the benefits of being a member. But, then she is called in to cover up a murder and this exclusive group just became a twisted group about something completely different.

I have followed this author since her very first book. Her first book was called Spin. I won a signed copy back in 2009 and I have been hooked ever since. Now, she has changed her genre. Her first several novels were chick lit. She changed over to thrillers and she has not looked back.

This novel started a bit slow but it is just setting up a smart manipulation game. And I will be honest, I was not a big fan of the main character, Nicole, in the beginning. I thought “you are a hotshot lawyer! Why are you doing this!” And I still don’t quite understand why she fell in with this group but my favorite part of this book is when Nicole figures out what is going on and she is taking no prisoners.

I love a smart read and this one is one of the bests! The plot is intricate and don’t skim a word because you will miss a key point of evidence!

Need a story with manipulation as it’s main goal…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for an honest opinion! ( )

Please Join Us by Catherine McKenzie is a highly recommended psychological thriller.

Nicole Mueller has just learned that her law career is taking a dive and that she and her husband Dan are going to be forced out of their apartment, when she receives an invitation to join Panthera Leo, a networking retreat exclusively for women in Colorado. While Nicole sees this as an opportunity to reclaim her career, Dan thinks it sounds like a cult. Nevertheless, Nicole proceeds to attend the retreat and joins the group. Since it is composed of professional women, she is sure it will benefit her career.

At first Nicole appreciates the four other women who will compose her Pride: a CEO, an actress, a finance whiz, and a congresswoman. Their existence is based on the need for a women’s club in a men’s club world. At first she sees all sorts of benefits and billable hours that result from joining a Panthera Leo Pride. She has an impressive new client, a new apartment, and a new group of supportive friends. But she is soon called in to help with something that is a crime and her involvement means she is involved.

Nicole is an interesting character. As a lawyer, she questions everything and everyone. Her curiosity and willingness to confront and question events is what propels the novel forward to greater levels of excitement and tension. Everything must extract some kind of price, so the question is really what is Nicole willing to pay for her curiosity. As the plot advances, Nicole becomes increasingly suspicious and aware of the problems and aftermath that are looming overhead.

This is a well-written, complex, fast paced legal psychological thriller that will hold your attention to the end. There are plenty of twists, especially in the second half of the novel. Please Join Us ties into the MeToo movement. There is some suspension of disbelief which must be applied while reading, but beyond that the narrative is totally entertaining. I believe that I have encountered a very similar plot before.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Atria Books via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/08/please-join-us.html ( )