The Lion in the Colosseum

by Daniel Amory

2026 Bestseller. Romantic Comedy. Jordan. Kinsley. Matt. Small-Town. Love Triangle. From #1 Bestselling Author Daniel Amory (NYT, A&E Television, The History Channel, Cameron's Court, Le Scapegoat, Hi Pretty Girl, Bye Pretty Girl, (In)famous), "The Lion in the Colosseum" is the new critically-acclaimed romantic comedy about Kinsley and Jordan.

"I heard he is nice and funny and smart. And easy to be around. And he's not hard on the eyes, as we can see. And he's a journalist."
"Is that all?" asked Kinsley, satirically.

Jordan Moore, a young journalist in Chicago, tries to rebuild his career and his life as he travels to Coastal Point, a small town near the Gulf coast of Mississippi, in an adventure of a lifetime as he takes on a new assignment in search for answers about the mysterious and aloof Dale Bowen. As Jordan gathers facts for the new assignment, his life gets complicated when he meets a young woman, Kinsley Hayes, who offers to introduce him to Bowen if he will do something very important for her in exchange. Now on Audiobook. "A perfect blend of humor and vulnerability." "Kinsley is a strong lead." "Moving." "Very Well-Written." "A gem." "Emotionally-Charged." "Feel-good." "Masterful." "A force."

As a journalist, Daniel Amory has worked with The New York Times, A&E Television and The History Channel. A cornerstone of Small-Town American Literature in 2026, The Lion in the Colosseum is one of his six novels.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy, Humor, Travel, Journalism, Summer, Drama

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 5, 2025

About the author

Daniel Amory, #1 Bestselling Author, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He made his first foray into writing as a Staff Writer for The Daily Cardinal while in college at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Shortly thereafter, he began to work professionally as a journalist in connection with The New York Times, A&E Television and The History Channel, producing numerous documentaries seen worldwide. He is the #1 Bestselling Author of (In)famous, Hi Pretty Girl, Bye Pretty Girl, The Lion in the Colosseum, Le Scapegoat, Cameron's Court and Minor Snobs. Available Everywhere. Amazon. Kindle Unlimited. Walmart. Waterstones. Hatchards. Foley's. Blackwell's. Audiobook.

YOU CAN REACH DANIEL AMORY AT:
lionthenovel1@gmail.com

TikTok: daniel.amory.author

Instagram: daniel.amory.author

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

“…I ask three things of you; be present, be open and get completely out of your head.”

I was deeply grateful when the author provided four of his standalone novels for me to read and review. This is the first of those four books.

From the opening pages, it became clear that Amory possesses a gift for transporting readers. Whether describing a sweltering day in Chicago or the vibrant beauty of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, his prose is richly atmospheric and beautifully articulated, making every setting feel vivid and alive.

Jordan Moore, a widowed journalist struggling to reclaim both his career and his sense of purpose, stumbles upon a story worth pursuing. The challenge lies in convincing Kinsley, a young woman carrying her own burden of grief, to help him. Initially resistant to Jordan's approach, she eventually agrees—provided he helps her with something deeply important to her in return.

What follows is a leisurely paced, character-driven story about loss, healing, courage, and second chances. As the characters navigate their respective grief journeys, readers will find themselves rooting for them to emerge from the shadows of heartbreak and rediscover what it means to truly live.

The supporting characters add depth and warmth, while a gentle thread of romance develops naturally throughout the narrative. While some passages leaned a bit heavily into description, the author’s talent for creating atmosphere and emotion is never in doubt.

The line, "I guess I met my lion at the colosseum," although spoken by a secondary character, captures the heart of this story—the realization that the things we fear most often become the very things that help us grow, heal, and move forward.

So, readers, as the opening quote suggests, be present. Be open. Get completely out of your head. This thoughtful and moving novel just might reward you for doing so.

I would like to thank the author and Patron Press for providing this complimentary copy for our Little Free Library Shed. As always, I am providing an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars

[Jean C Wilcox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Funny and a great story. I really enjoyed it. It had great characters and a good story, and very accurately portrayed small-town life. It left me with lasting happiness a long time after reading it.

[Daniella · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an attempt to cover a news story about Dale Bowen a southern recluse Jordan Moore is cajoled into helping Kinsley Hayes prepare a run down barn for a local fundraiser for the young mentor program. Jordan is still processing his late wife Lauren and Kinsley is processing her late fiancé Cole which makes them the perfect partners for the task. As the week goes on the two slowly start to fall for one another. This romantic, witty novel is a great easy read. I found myself chuckling along. Daniel Amory did a good job of bringing these characters to life. I do wish that there would have been a little more development of the characters in this story, but overall I enjoyed reading this story. Thank you to Patron Press and Goodreads for the giveaway. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

[Dawn Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodreads giveaway win.

This book had a lot heart and emotions. I enjoyed being on the healing journey it took.

[StitchnmommaReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about love, loss & new beginnings.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the Kindle copy I won in a giveaway.

[Kate groot · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a giveaway. It was a short little read with some spots of magic in it. There is no spice in this book except for one kiss at the end so don’t go in expecting any of that. I will say the premise of both characters having lost their loved ones made it pretty promising. I do think the storyline fell a little flat. But I definitely appreciated the read!

[Sunshine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lion in the Colosseum is a heartfelt and fun story that blends romance, humor, and real emotion perfectly. Jordan and Kinsley’s journey shows that second chances are always possible, and the supporting cast adds laughs and charm along the way. With touching moments and a happy ending, this book is a delightful read you won’t forget.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

20% DNF

[Courtney Pityer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this in a giveaway

[Julie Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read about people working through their grief and finding their way back to life. A Chicago reporter travels to Mississippi to learn some things about himself and about others. The characters are fun and believable. It was an easy read that had a positive message.

[Whitney Warrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute little book in dire need of a decent copy editor.

[Jana Reiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small town charm

I found the characters delightful. The happenings of the small town were charming and funny. It was a sweet story and easy to get involved with.

[Wendy Bielanos bielanos · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. It was a DNF for me at 20%. The writing style was difficult for me but maybe some better editing would have helped.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like every element of this book works. There are strong emotions, funny moments and moments of truth. It functions as a romantic comedy, but with cathartic moments. You can feel the heartbreak and the healing of souls. The author, Daniel Amory, has tapped into some kind of universal experience of losing everything you thought you knew and finding yourself somewhere unexpected with The Lion in the Colosseum. The way that Jordan Moore, a journalist from Chicago who travels on assignment to Mississippi to investigate a mysterious person in a small town, has his big revelation about his life, embracing the epiphany that occurs, is masterfully constructed.

Kinsley is the woman that Jordan meets during the investigation and she is his equal. Strong, a do-gooder, Jordan realizes their attraction for one another the moment he sees her, but backs away from it initially and spends the entire story re-discovering himself (while Kinsley re-discovers herself) until he can let her in (and vice versa).

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off, you got to realize how amazing it is whenever a really good romantic comedy comes out. The Lion in the Colosseum is a well-written drama that was delivered in a simple fashion. This is what makes it great. And, this book was funny, moving and there is a happy ending, which, Dear God we need more of these days.

For me, it was all about the characters. As you follow Jordan and Kinsley and their budding romance, it made me believe that everyone can get a second chance. That things happen in life, but you can start again. This is really the overall theme. All the characters were well done. Barbara and Iris are hilarious and their observations on the events taking place brings everything together. I think Bart is a fatherly character to Jordan, but in a subtle way. Wade was quirky and interesting. Lottie was funny. Overall, this is a serious story with raw emotion that has many funny and romantic and touching elements that stands out to me. And, yes, a happy ending!

[Allison Greene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe in the concept of soulmates. I don't want to give any spoilers, but Kinsley and Jordan are soulmates. They just had to find each other. The writing was fresh and fun about two people trying to find their place in the world after dark times. It is a second chance for them both and it is as heartbreaking as it is inspirational, and as funny as it is feel-good. It's the best thing that I have read in so long.

Kinsley and Jordan are so real, so genuine, so powerful. The characters are really what drives the story as the investigation goes on. Kinsley and Jordan come from polar opposite places, geographically speaking, but are perfect for each other. They are better together exponentially than apart. And they each start to realize it as the week together moves on. It's a slow burn, but the pay-off is worth it. It made me believe in love again. Thanks, now I have unrealistic expectations.

[Rachel (Always Reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A healing and hopeful small town drama comedy that is one of the best books I've read this year. It centers on love and optimism and the message is that tragedies may be setbacks, but they don't have to define you. Jordan Moore, a journalist, is an optimist that is trying to remake himself his wife's fatal car accident. When he goes back to work, he is assigned a story in a small town set in Mississippi. It is truly an emotional roller coaster as he tries to balance his feelings of grief with the attraction he feels for Kinsley, a woman (also emotionally damaged from a tragic past with her husband) he meets while on his work assignment.

There is just the right amount of wit, humor and romantic energy between Kinsley and Jordan. I found myself laughing some of the time and crying happy tears other times. There is something meaningful in a story where two people unexpectedly discover in each other that one thing they both clearly need in life.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I loved this story. It was a sharp romantic comedy drama that was very emotional. And, so, so funny. The story explores the real-world complexities of grief and the power of second chances. Jordan Moore travels from Chicago to Mississippi for a story that he is working on as a journalist a year after his wife was killed in a car accident and while he is still grieving, he is trying to put the pieces of his life back together. That is when he meets a woman named Kinsley Hayes, who is similarly grieving a similar loss, and she offers to help him with the big part of his story if he helps her with something. Often funny, it is a drama that plays out in a small town with great supporting characters and pies and love triangles and the mention of ABBA at a small festival (the author had me at ABBA). You will leave this story with love and optimism in your heart and wanting more.

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple story yet intertwined in complex human traits wonderfully written by Daniel Amory. The main characters, Jordan Moore and Kinsley Hayes, are both grieving the loss of their life partners. They are both trying to move ahead of what has been lost and that accelerates when they meet each other. Jordan is on a journalism work assignment in a small town in Mississippi and Kinsley, who lives there, holds the key to get in touch with person (a mysterious figure in the town) that Jordan is trying to interview for his news article. Kinsley tells him that she will help him if he helps her with something. A drama comedy in a small town filled with optimism and heartfelt moments, I give this a big thumbs up.

Is there a pie festival? Yes. Is there a love triangle? Yes. Do Jordan and Kinsley fall in love? You'll have to read it to find out.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion in the Colosseum should be praised for many things. First, for balancing heavy themes like grief with romance and sharp, charming humor. Second, the incredible chemistry between Kinsley and Jordan. They are attracted to each other at first sight - but must make their way toward each other in their own personal discovery through their healing journeys. Third, the small town of Coastal Point is quaint and charming and so well portrayed that it is almost a character in, and of, itself.

This story is serious and yet a crowd-pleaser because you find yourself entrenched in the drama and rooting for Kinsley and Jordan and their romantic yearning for each other (slow-burn with mutual grief and self-discovery in its way). It's very cinematic and cute and Mississippi has never looked so sexy.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion in the Colosseum is a story of raw emotional honesty mixed with humor, addressing the feeling of loss through romantic connection. Some of the themes of the story are second chances, healing through unexpected relationships and communities coming together. Kinsley and Jordan, the main characters, must overcome personal obstacles to find an authentic connection with one another. All of this happens albeit while Jordan, a journalist, is on assignment and investigating a mysterious member of a small town. Throughout the story, the author explores the timing in relationships - when is the "right" moment for love? As Kinsley and Jordan get to know each other, they both must learn to let themselves to be vulnerable and take emotional risks.

[Jodi Gallegos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Lion in the Colosseum is a second chances romance novel from author Daniel Amory. Jordan is still reeling from the sudden death of his wife a year prior. He accepts a new assignment in a small Mississippi community where he meets Kinsley. Jordan and Kinsley are drawn together but, as is so often the case, the ghosts of their pasts won’t let it be easy for them. Each character has their own story that could bring up intense emotions for the readers but as I read I felt a distance between the prose and the emotion so the feelings of the story and the relationships (past and present) didn’t seem tangible. While this was a sweet story, I’m bummed that there wasn’t as much raw emotion as there could have been.

[Zoe Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A realistic portrayal of the small-town American romantic comedy-drama story. To be honest, this was one of the best books I read this year. All of the characters are alive and authentic with raw emotions. The main characters are Jordan Moore and Kinsley Hayes. Both are getting over a dark past and with everything going on between them, it felt genuine and true, hysterical and romantic. I laughed out loud many times while reading. And the end was very sweet and emotionally uplifting.

Their friends, Barbara and Iris, are hilarious and unique voices of reason. Betsy, Trevor, Diane, Arthur, Bernard, Bart, Lottie and Lola (I think I got all of them) are hilarious and unique too. As Jordan and Kinsley breathe life back into each other’s lives, you can feel the love and resilience each one of them have.

Jordan’s search for Dale Bowen provides a strong narrative, but it is what he finds along the way about himself and Kinsley and the world around him that is the true brilliance of this story. Prepare to laugh and be moved and uplifted in this gem. I got this book free from a giveaway.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartfelt, sweet, moving and funny romantic comedy. And there is drama. Lots of it. Small-town drama. And Jordan, the main character, a journalist on assignment in search of a mysterious townsperson, finds himself caught right in the middle of everything. Kinsley, a local woman who promises to help Jordan, wants something in return. What could it be? I'm not going to give any spoilers, but I will say that they sort of like each other...which complicates things.

I want to also mention that the book is very cinematic. The author, Daniel Amory, describes the Gulf coast vividly. You feel like you are there in Coastal Point looking at the mysterious Gulf with Kinsley and Jordan.

[Bookworm Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lion in the Colosseum is a comedy-drama that masterfully balances humor and heartbreak. It is a raw yet deeply entertaining look at Jordan and Kinsley, two people that are rebuilding their lives after tragedy. There are serious themes and funny moments. At the beginning of the story, both Kinsley and Jordan are "damaged" from their past, and as the story moves on, they realize that they might find a way to save each other. It is a small-town mystery and adventure with a number of supporting characters and the story is character-driven with humor.

[Brielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A top-tier romantic comedy (and drama) from Daniel Amory that will have you laughing one moment and crying another. It has earned a top spot in my books of the year so far. And because I have been in a reading slump lately, I was due this. It is genuinely funny and touching and the slow romantic awakenings between Kinsley and Jordan as the on-going news story unfolds in the small Gulf Coast town of Coastal Point are finely crafted as they separately heal from their dark pasts and re-discover themselves.

[Kirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A contemporary romance drama that was fun to read. I think it was one of the best books I read this year hands down. I really enjoyed everything about it from the small town feeling to the drama around Kinsley and Jordan as they rebuild their lives and find out about each other. There are some funny moments too. As the story plays out, a couple of love triangles emerge and the mystery around Dale Bowen is investigated. All in all, it was a fun ride and you will enjoy it too.

[Alyssa Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving story that centers around finding a connection in unexpected places. Jordan Moore goes on an extraordinary journey finding himself and (potentially - I'm not giving any spoilers) love in the process. Kinsley Hayes, the woman this entire story revolves around, is funny, strong and charming. It is a romantic drama and a comedy combined with such honest and relatable characters. And it all takes place in a small town. Easy to read, but almost unforgettable.

[BookReader22 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five Stars+....I loved this story. Small-town America. Romantic Drama. Comedy. Down South. Gulf coast. A mysterious resident of this small town, Dale Bowen, has a secret. Jordan Moore, a journalist from Chicago, goes to the small town to investigate Dale. Kinsley Hayes, a resident, offers to introduce Jordan to Dale if he helps her fix up an old barn for a children's mentoring program. Jordan and Kinsley, both with dark pasts, each trying to rebuild their lives, start to fall for each other.

It was a wonderful journey filled with drama, self-discovery, excitement, laughter, tears and two love triangles. Poignant, but uplifting. Drama-filled, but funny. A must read.

[Maddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love small town mysteries and love entanglements and this was a very good one. We follow Jordan and Kinsley as they are trying to separately build their lives back to what it once was before tragic events derailed the paths they were on. Jordan, who goes to Coastal Point on the coast of Mississippi, along the Gulf coast, to investigate a mysterious figure, Dale Bowen, for an article, meets Kinsley. It is a cute, heartfelt, deep story that is easy to read. I really loved it.