Please Join Us

Nicole Mueller's legal career is stalling when she receives an invitation to join an exclusive women's networking group called Panthera Leo. Upon joining, she discovers the group consists of successful female professionals who help each other advance through carefully cultivated connections. As Nicole becomes more involved with Panthera Leo and its members, she notices concerning patterns in how the organization operates. The group's methods for supporting its members begin to seem questionable, leading Nicole to investigate what's really happening behind the scenes. Soon Nicole finds herself caught between her growing suspicions about Panthera Leo and the undeniable career benefits she's receiving through her membership. She must determine how far she's willing to go to maintain her newfound success and what price she's truly paying for it. The novel examines themes of female ambition, power dynamics in professional settings, and the moral compromises people make in pursuit of success. It raises questions about the true nature of networking and mutual support among women in competitive fields.

Readers found this thriller fast-paced with an engaging premise about a secret women's networking organization. Many noted strong character development and realistic portrayal of workplace dynamics. Liked: - Unpredictable twists that subvert expectations - Commentary on female ambition and power dynamics - Authentic depiction of professional women's experiences - Quick pacing that maintains tension - Clear, straightforward writing style Disliked: - Some found the ending rushed and unsatisfying - Middle section drags according to multiple reviews - Secondary characters lack depth - A few readers wanted more backstory on the organization Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) BookBub: 4.2/5 (900+ ratings) "Started strong but fizzled in the final act" - common sentiment across review platforms "Captures the subtle ways women undermine each other professionally" - frequent reader observation "Good airplane read but forgettable" - recurring comment on Goodreads

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🔖 Author Catherine McKenzie practiced law for more than two decades while writing novels, making her uniquely qualified to write about the legal world depicted in the book. 🔖 The novel explores real-world issues of women's professional networks and their potential dark sides, inspired by the rise of exclusive networking groups in recent years. 🔖 "Please Join Us" was named one of the "Best Thrillers of 2022" by Kirkus Reviews and received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. 🔖 The secret society in the book draws parallels to actual women's organizations like Lean In Circles and The Wing, but takes their concepts to a sinister extreme. 🔖 McKenzie wrote the first draft of this novel during the COVID-19 lockdown, incorporating themes of isolation and the increased importance of virtual connections.