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The Siren
From Katherine St. John, author of The Lion's Den, comes another sublimely escapist thriller: When dangerously handsome megastar Cole Power hires his ex-wife, Stella Rivers, to act in his son's film, he sparks a firestorm on an isolated island that will unearth long-buried secrets -- and unravel years of lies.
In the midst of a sizzling hot summer, some of Hollywood's most notorious faces are assembled on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film The Siren, starring dangerously handsome megastar Cole Power playing opposite his ex-wife, Stella Rivers. The surefire blockbuster promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.
Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella, an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost in the wake of multiple, very public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella's mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend everyone's plans.
With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself..
In the midst of a sizzling hot summer, some of Hollywood's most notorious faces are assembled on the idyllic Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film The Siren, starring dangerously handsome megastar Cole Power playing opposite his ex-wife, Stella Rivers. The surefire blockbuster promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.
Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella, an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost in the wake of multiple, very public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella's mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend everyone's plans.
With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself..
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 4, 2021
560 people are currently reading
23491 people want to read
About the author
Katherine St. John
5 books983 followersThe author of The Lion's Den, The Siren, and The Vicious Circle, Katherine St. John is a native of Mississippi and graduate of the University of Southern California. Over the years she has worked as an actress, screenwriter, director, photographer, producer, singer/songwriter, legal assistant, bartender/waitress, yoga instructor, real estate agent, and travel coordinator… but finds she likes writing novels best. Katherine currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,378 reviews
July 27, 2021
Guilty Pleasure Alert!
3.5 stars
A scenic Caribbean island serves as the backdrop of a movie set of a film starring a superstar, his ex-wife, and an ingenue who will stop at nothing to be famous. And while the cutthroat desire for fame will lead those involved to danger, it is one woman’s desire for revenge that will destroy them all.
The Siren has all of the elements of a nighttime soap: over-the-top drama, cutthroat competition, romance, a villain, and crazy over-the-top antics.
The narrative alternates between several points of view:
Taylor Wasserman--the producer with a tarnished reputation
Cole Power--the handsome movie star with a roving-eye
Stella Rivers-Cole’s ex-wife who has a substance abuse problem and is desperate to be relevant
Felicity Fox--Stella’s assistant with a mysterious past
The characters even have cheesy soapy names. None of them are particularly likable, but some are better than others. Taylor is perhaps the most normal, but all of the characters whining about their first-world problems got on my nerves. Other characters are simply vile. Some redeem themselves, while others meet a very well-deserved ending.
A tad too long, my attention did wade at times. However, as a fun soapy summer read, this fits the bill! This is not the kind of book that requires thinking. You just need to sit back, relax, and enjoy!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
A scenic Caribbean island serves as the backdrop of a movie set of a film starring a superstar, his ex-wife, and an ingenue who will stop at nothing to be famous. And while the cutthroat desire for fame will lead those involved to danger, it is one woman’s desire for revenge that will destroy them all.
The Siren has all of the elements of a nighttime soap: over-the-top drama, cutthroat competition, romance, a villain, and crazy over-the-top antics.
The narrative alternates between several points of view:
Taylor Wasserman--the producer with a tarnished reputation
Cole Power--the handsome movie star with a roving-eye
Stella Rivers-Cole’s ex-wife who has a substance abuse problem and is desperate to be relevant
Felicity Fox--Stella’s assistant with a mysterious past
The characters even have cheesy soapy names. None of them are particularly likable, but some are better than others. Taylor is perhaps the most normal, but all of the characters whining about their first-world problems got on my nerves. Other characters are simply vile. Some redeem themselves, while others meet a very well-deserved ending.
A tad too long, my attention did wade at times. However, as a fun soapy summer read, this fits the bill! This is not the kind of book that requires thinking. You just need to sit back, relax, and enjoy!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2021
HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY!
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Q: What do you get when you mix a bunch of people on a Caribbean island, scandals, secrets, sex, and an impending hurricane? A: A highly unputdownable and juicy “5-star stunner” of a thriller!
THE SETUP: Things on St. Genesius, a Caribbean island, are about to become much more exciting when a film crew arrives to shoot a major Hollywood film. Superstar Cole Powers owns the island. His son, Jackson, wrote the film and will be directing it. Cole is financing it, and may have his own reasons for doing so.
Add Stella Rivers to the mix. She’s Cole’s ex-wife, and once had a dazzling film career herself. After some very public mishaps and a problem with alcohol, she NEEDS this film to work so she can regain ground.
Throw in Felicity - Stella’s assistant (who may have secrets of her own), Madison - the young “actress” (ahem 🙄)/social media influencer who will be starring in the film with Cole and Stella, and Taylor - The film’s producer who has a couple secrets of her own.
As filming begins and a hurricane brews and moves towards the island, deep-seated secrets and deceptions are revealed, and scandals come to light that may cause more damage than the impending storm.
I loved this book from first word to last. Each character has a phenomenal backstory that just oozes with intrigue and tension. The use of three POVs works splendidly in keeping the tension moving from one person to the next. An interesting thing is that I guessed almost all of the twists. Part of me wonders if they were even supposed to be twists. Regardless, did that put a damper on my enjoyment? NOT ONE BIT.
Everything comes to a head in the last 20%, and there were plenty of surprises in store. I had no idea how everything would come together and wrap up, and I had an absolute blast.
It’s juicy, highly addictive escapism that also touches on some very darks subjects (TW: Rape, substance abuse). I loved author Katherine St. John’s debut, The Lion’s Den, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. It did not disappoint. Highly recommended by moi.
Sincere thank you to Ivy at Grand Central Publishing, who graciously sent me an ARC.
This book is set to be published 5/4/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
Q: What do you get when you mix a bunch of people on a Caribbean island, scandals, secrets, sex, and an impending hurricane? A: A highly unputdownable and juicy “5-star stunner” of a thriller!
THE SETUP: Things on St. Genesius, a Caribbean island, are about to become much more exciting when a film crew arrives to shoot a major Hollywood film. Superstar Cole Powers owns the island. His son, Jackson, wrote the film and will be directing it. Cole is financing it, and may have his own reasons for doing so.
Add Stella Rivers to the mix. She’s Cole’s ex-wife, and once had a dazzling film career herself. After some very public mishaps and a problem with alcohol, she NEEDS this film to work so she can regain ground.
Throw in Felicity - Stella’s assistant (who may have secrets of her own), Madison - the young “actress” (ahem 🙄)/social media influencer who will be starring in the film with Cole and Stella, and Taylor - The film’s producer who has a couple secrets of her own.
As filming begins and a hurricane brews and moves towards the island, deep-seated secrets and deceptions are revealed, and scandals come to light that may cause more damage than the impending storm.
I loved this book from first word to last. Each character has a phenomenal backstory that just oozes with intrigue and tension. The use of three POVs works splendidly in keeping the tension moving from one person to the next. An interesting thing is that I guessed almost all of the twists. Part of me wonders if they were even supposed to be twists. Regardless, did that put a damper on my enjoyment? NOT ONE BIT.
Everything comes to a head in the last 20%, and there were plenty of surprises in store. I had no idea how everything would come together and wrap up, and I had an absolute blast.
It’s juicy, highly addictive escapism that also touches on some very darks subjects (TW: Rape, substance abuse). I loved author Katherine St. John’s debut, The Lion’s Den, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one. It did not disappoint. Highly recommended by moi.
Sincere thank you to Ivy at Grand Central Publishing, who graciously sent me an ARC.
This book is set to be published 5/4/21.
July 16, 2021
Be sure to visit Bantering Books to read all my latest reviews.
4.5 stars
Swimsuit ✔
Sunscreen ✔
Beach Towel ✔
The Siren by Katherine St. John ✔
Wait! What's that you say? The Siren isn’t on your summer vacay packing list?!?!
In that case, it’s good that I caught you before you left town, as you certainly will not want to be without it.
Because St. John’s scandalous novel of movie mayhem has everything you could want in a beach read – a Caribbean locale, celebrity drama, murder, romance, girl power, a hurricane.
Yep. Even a hurricane.
And it’s terrific. The Siren is written exceptionally well – more so than what I typically see in summer reading fare – and it’s superbly paced. The plot and characters are developed to the fullest, and the voices of the three female narrators are strong and vibrant. It scores points, too, for featuring an intriguing murder mystery with a twist I never saw coming.
Really, I have only minor grumbles to share, like the novel’s predictable plot and too-vague resolution of my favorite narrator’s storyline. For the most part, I have nothing but raves.
The Siren is wild, escapist fun. It’s sunny. Sandy. Surfy. It has heart. And it will take you away, far better than Calgon ever could.
I can’t imagine happening upon a more perfect summer read.
My sincerest appreciation to Katherine St. John and Grand Central Publishing for the physical Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
Bantering Books
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4.5 stars
Swimsuit ✔
Sunscreen ✔
Beach Towel ✔
The Siren by Katherine St. John ✔
Wait! What's that you say? The Siren isn’t on your summer vacay packing list?!?!
In that case, it’s good that I caught you before you left town, as you certainly will not want to be without it.
Because St. John’s scandalous novel of movie mayhem has everything you could want in a beach read – a Caribbean locale, celebrity drama, murder, romance, girl power, a hurricane.
Yep. Even a hurricane.
And it’s terrific. The Siren is written exceptionally well – more so than what I typically see in summer reading fare – and it’s superbly paced. The plot and characters are developed to the fullest, and the voices of the three female narrators are strong and vibrant. It scores points, too, for featuring an intriguing murder mystery with a twist I never saw coming.
Really, I have only minor grumbles to share, like the novel’s predictable plot and too-vague resolution of my favorite narrator’s storyline. For the most part, I have nothing but raves.
The Siren is wild, escapist fun. It’s sunny. Sandy. Surfy. It has heart. And it will take you away, far better than Calgon ever could.
I can’t imagine happening upon a more perfect summer read.
My sincerest appreciation to Katherine St. John and Grand Central Publishing for the physical Advance Review Copy. All opinions included herein are my own.
Bantering Books
May 25, 2021
Last year I breezed through a beach read trilogy set on a Caribbean island by a very popular author, which left me thinking, “EH, that was just not good.” I had that experience on my mind quite a bit while reading Katherine St. John’s sophomore novel, The Siren.
You see, The Siren is what I wanted those books to be. A juicy plot, with compelling characters, in an exotic locale, that’s well written. Three women (an actress, a producer and an assistant) arrive on a movie set with very different motives, and readers come to realize there’s a true villain in their midst.
If you’re headed to the beach, the pool, or even just your favorite chair by the AC unit this summer, listen up. The Siren is calling out to join you.
I received a gifted hardback copy from Grand Central Publishing to review. The Siren is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
IG: @confettibookshelf
You see, The Siren is what I wanted those books to be. A juicy plot, with compelling characters, in an exotic locale, that’s well written. Three women (an actress, a producer and an assistant) arrive on a movie set with very different motives, and readers come to realize there’s a true villain in their midst.
If you’re headed to the beach, the pool, or even just your favorite chair by the AC unit this summer, listen up. The Siren is calling out to join you.
I received a gifted hardback copy from Grand Central Publishing to review. The Siren is now available.
Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
IG: @confettibookshelf
September 4, 2021
"The Siren" by Katherine St. John is an entertaining and anytime 'beach read'!
It's a stifling hot summer and a welcome relief for the cast and crew of "The Siren" to be filming on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Genesius! All accommodations are courtesy of island owner, film financier and superstar, Cole Power!
The Siren's Main players:
Cole Power: Male Lead. Misogynist. Narcissist.
Jackson Power: Screenwriter. Director. Cole's Son.
Stella Rivers: Cole's Ex. Female Lead. Infamous. Unstable. Broke.
Taylor Wasserman: Producer. Hollywood Blacklisted. Last Chance.
Felicity Fox: Stella's Assistant. Gorgeous. Mysterious.
Filming barely gets underway when the action starts! And, it's not the filming that's the most entertaining. It's everything else swirling around the island. A little romance but mostly secrets, hidden agendas, deceptions, conflicts and with the island in the path of a hurricane, not everyone will be safe!
Told in two timelines in the voices of Taylor, Felicity and Stella through alternating chapters, this format provides a great backstory while the current timeline continues rolling.
The audiobook has multiple narrators with excellent voicing skills that bring this beach read to life. The story feels a bit drawn-out with a slower than expected start but overall it's very entertaining and well worth the listen.
It doesn't need to be summer to get to this one! It will satisfy any time of year and without risk of sunburn, heatstroke or sand in your shoes!
It's a stifling hot summer and a welcome relief for the cast and crew of "The Siren" to be filming on the beautiful Caribbean island of St. Genesius! All accommodations are courtesy of island owner, film financier and superstar, Cole Power!
The Siren's Main players:
Cole Power: Male Lead. Misogynist. Narcissist.
Jackson Power: Screenwriter. Director. Cole's Son.
Stella Rivers: Cole's Ex. Female Lead. Infamous. Unstable. Broke.
Taylor Wasserman: Producer. Hollywood Blacklisted. Last Chance.
Felicity Fox: Stella's Assistant. Gorgeous. Mysterious.
Filming barely gets underway when the action starts! And, it's not the filming that's the most entertaining. It's everything else swirling around the island. A little romance but mostly secrets, hidden agendas, deceptions, conflicts and with the island in the path of a hurricane, not everyone will be safe!
Told in two timelines in the voices of Taylor, Felicity and Stella through alternating chapters, this format provides a great backstory while the current timeline continues rolling.
The audiobook has multiple narrators with excellent voicing skills that bring this beach read to life. The story feels a bit drawn-out with a slower than expected start but overall it's very entertaining and well worth the listen.
It doesn't need to be summer to get to this one! It will satisfy any time of year and without risk of sunburn, heatstroke or sand in your shoes!
July 21, 2021
This is a great summer read! The multiple POVs, alternating timelines, and slow-build storyline kept me engaged throughout. It's my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it 🌴.
The story begins as the film crew arrives at the island of St. Genesius, for the filming of the movie The Siren. Cole is the main actor, owns the island, and is financing the movie. Jackson, his son, is the writer and director of the movie. These two are key characters, but the multiple POVs come from:
🔸Stella (main actress and ex-wife of Cole)
🔸Felicity (Stella's assistant)
🔸Taylor (movie producer)
This story takes place in a Caribbean island. The only thing you can take at face value in this story is the beautiful setting. The characters have secrets and motives that will keep you guessing throughout.
I enjoyed the characters, backstories, and many twists. The last 20% of the book was a bit implausible, considering the hurricane. The book blurb calls this book an escapist thriller though, and on that it sure delivered.
The story begins as the film crew arrives at the island of St. Genesius, for the filming of the movie The Siren. Cole is the main actor, owns the island, and is financing the movie. Jackson, his son, is the writer and director of the movie. These two are key characters, but the multiple POVs come from:
🔸Stella (main actress and ex-wife of Cole)
🔸Felicity (Stella's assistant)
🔸Taylor (movie producer)
This story takes place in a Caribbean island. The only thing you can take at face value in this story is the beautiful setting. The characters have secrets and motives that will keep you guessing throughout.
I enjoyed the characters, backstories, and many twists. The last 20% of the book was a bit implausible, considering the hurricane. The book blurb calls this book an escapist thriller though, and on that it sure delivered.
August 25, 2021
Review posted to blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Huge thanks to #GoodreadsGiveaway for the Win!
Juicy, Campy, Mindless Entertainment!
If you’re a fan of Soap Operas - this book is for you!
A Movie Set in the Caribbean. The Cast and Crew. Hot Bodies, vying for attention. Drugs and Alcohol in abundance. A Hurricane Threatening to Destroy Everything and of course, Good and Evil at play.
Sounds hella entertaining, am I right?
Well, it was hella crazy, that I will say.
It was also full of eye-rolling behavior, and lots of predictable moments, of which I am not a fan.
That said, if you love getting caught up in the lifestyles of the rich and famous and are looking for a fun, beachy read, to lose yourself in, The Siren is calling your name.
Thanks to Goodreads Giveaway and Grand Central Publishing for the Win.
Published on Goodreads and Twitter.
April 15, 2021
Review published in: https://diagnosisbookaholic.blogspot....
The Lion's den was one of my favorite reads last year. After my ARC request was declined everywhere I directly reached out to the publisher to beg (yes, at that point it was straight begging) for an early copy, so I was ecstatic when they sent me one (thank you, Tiffany from marketing 😄). I came into it with some trepidation cause it wouldn't be the first time I loved a debut novel but didn't like the second one, but fear not, The Siren is even better than its predecessor. And the bar was pretty high!
I loved it from start to finish. It was like carbs. I could not get enough of it and every time life called I started counting the minutes till I could get back to reading again.
The setting on a Caribbean island during a movie shoot was gorgeous. The Hollywood type characters (I could not help to picture them with some real people's faces) were really well portrayed, and their story arcs made me go through a whole range of emotions with each of them.
The use of the three female POVs worked really well as all their backstories were equally interesting. I also loved the interspersed news articles, IG posts, tabloid's gossip and interview snippets that added a nice touch to the story.
The plot moves at a really nice pace but once the hurricane alert is activated it reached breakneck speed. I could not take my eyes off my Kindle for that last 25%.
Hollywood glamour, secrets, murder, scandal, revenge and the Caribbean, if those are not the ingredients of the perfect read for this summer I don't know what they are. The Siren is a book about the shooting of a movie and at the same time a book I would love to see adapted to the big screen.
With just two books Katherine St. John has become an auto-buy author for me. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go look for a swimsuit matching that gorgeous cover. 😎
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lion's den was one of my favorite reads last year. After my ARC request was declined everywhere I directly reached out to the publisher to beg (yes, at that point it was straight begging) for an early copy, so I was ecstatic when they sent me one (thank you, Tiffany from marketing 😄). I came into it with some trepidation cause it wouldn't be the first time I loved a debut novel but didn't like the second one, but fear not, The Siren is even better than its predecessor. And the bar was pretty high!
I loved it from start to finish. It was like carbs. I could not get enough of it and every time life called I started counting the minutes till I could get back to reading again.
The setting on a Caribbean island during a movie shoot was gorgeous. The Hollywood type characters (I could not help to picture them with some real people's faces) were really well portrayed, and their story arcs made me go through a whole range of emotions with each of them.
The use of the three female POVs worked really well as all their backstories were equally interesting. I also loved the interspersed news articles, IG posts, tabloid's gossip and interview snippets that added a nice touch to the story.
The plot moves at a really nice pace but once the hurricane alert is activated it reached breakneck speed. I could not take my eyes off my Kindle for that last 25%.
Hollywood glamour, secrets, murder, scandal, revenge and the Caribbean, if those are not the ingredients of the perfect read for this summer I don't know what they are. The Siren is a book about the shooting of a movie and at the same time a book I would love to see adapted to the big screen.
With just two books Katherine St. John has become an auto-buy author for me. And now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go look for a swimsuit matching that gorgeous cover. 😎
Thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2021
3.5 stars
The Siren is the second book I have read by this author and I think she is creative. Her books have a bit of that guilty pleasure vibe in which you can't help but be interested in the cast of unlikeable characters and their messed up lives. I might have enjoyed The Lion's Den a tad more, but they are both good reads and I recommend checking this author out if you haven't already done so.
The cast and crew of the movie, The Siren, have gathered on a Caribbean island to shoot the film. Cole Power is producing and starring in the movie, his son is the director, and Cole has hired his ex-wife, Stella Rivers, as his co-star. Stella's career has been in the toilet in recent years and she is hoping this acting gig will give her profile a much needed boost. Felicity is Stella's assistant and has a specific reason for taking on this job. Taylor, a producer on the film, desperately needs it to be a blockbuster hit. The story alternates between Felicity, Taylor, and Stella's perspectives.
The author inserts some tabloid articles about the characters in between chapters which were fun and enhanced the story. As the reader you got to see what the general public thought of these characters but you also got to know them behind closed doors, so to speak. Like I mentioned before, I wouldn't say any of these characters are people you root for, but they each brought something to the table.
There are some disturbing aspects to the story but somehow it doesn't take on an extremely dark tone. The plot of this book is similar to a typical movie or tv show. What I'm trying to say is it has a vacation type read feel even with the subject matter.
I had high expectations for an incredible ending and I'm slightly disappointed it didn't reach that level. But that's okay because I still enjoyed this one and will be reading anything written by Katherine St. John in the future.
I received an advance copy but was not obligated to post a review here. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
The Siren is the second book I have read by this author and I think she is creative. Her books have a bit of that guilty pleasure vibe in which you can't help but be interested in the cast of unlikeable characters and their messed up lives. I might have enjoyed The Lion's Den a tad more, but they are both good reads and I recommend checking this author out if you haven't already done so.
The cast and crew of the movie, The Siren, have gathered on a Caribbean island to shoot the film. Cole Power is producing and starring in the movie, his son is the director, and Cole has hired his ex-wife, Stella Rivers, as his co-star. Stella's career has been in the toilet in recent years and she is hoping this acting gig will give her profile a much needed boost. Felicity is Stella's assistant and has a specific reason for taking on this job. Taylor, a producer on the film, desperately needs it to be a blockbuster hit. The story alternates between Felicity, Taylor, and Stella's perspectives.
The author inserts some tabloid articles about the characters in between chapters which were fun and enhanced the story. As the reader you got to see what the general public thought of these characters but you also got to know them behind closed doors, so to speak. Like I mentioned before, I wouldn't say any of these characters are people you root for, but they each brought something to the table.
There are some disturbing aspects to the story but somehow it doesn't take on an extremely dark tone. The plot of this book is similar to a typical movie or tv show. What I'm trying to say is it has a vacation type read feel even with the subject matter.
I had high expectations for an incredible ending and I'm slightly disappointed it didn't reach that level. But that's okay because I still enjoyed this one and will be reading anything written by Katherine St. John in the future.
I received an advance copy but was not obligated to post a review here. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
June 25, 2021
In The Siren, actors Cole and Stella meet up in St. Genesius to shoot their new movie. They also happen to be ex-husband and wife. They’re joined on the island by Cole’s son, Jackson, who is the movie director, Taylor, a recently scandalized producer, and Felicity, Stella’s new assistant, along with other supporting cast and crew members.
Despite the tropical island setting, all isn’t as it seems. The story is told from 3 POVs: Stella, Taylor, and Felicity, and has a bit of a slow start, but I enjoyed the scene setting and building tension — After all, everyone has some secrets.
I loved Katherine St. John’s debut last year, The Lion’s Den, and was excited to read this one. The Siren is a great summer read, best consumed on vacation, at the beach, or at least poolside (where I enjoyed most of it!)
Despite the tropical island setting, all isn’t as it seems. The story is told from 3 POVs: Stella, Taylor, and Felicity, and has a bit of a slow start, but I enjoyed the scene setting and building tension — After all, everyone has some secrets.
I loved Katherine St. John’s debut last year, The Lion’s Den, and was excited to read this one. The Siren is a great summer read, best consumed on vacation, at the beach, or at least poolside (where I enjoyed most of it!)
December 30, 2020
I couldn't put this down and I didn't want to give it up when it was over. When they say a book is a page turner, this is what they mean.
Cole Power, (think Tom Cruise maybe?) a Hollywood staple for the last several decades, is making a movie on a secluded tropical island with his ex wife Stella.
Stella is a bit of a Lindsay Lohan. She was super hot in Hollywood in her prime, but she's now fallen into ruin via pills and alcohol and tabloid scandal. She's broke and her beauty has withered. Now in her 40's she's trying to stage her comeback, and what better way to do this than in Cole's new movie?
The book is told in three POVs. We've got Stella. Then there's the movie's producer, Taylor. And Felicity, Stella's PA, who Stella is totally dependent on. The multiple POVs really worked for me as I loved uncovering the backstories and personal vendettas of each woman that have driven them to this island.
Taylor is teetering on whether or not she wants to continue a career in the backstabbing, often political climate of Hollywood, and Felicity, Stella's long suffering PA has her own demons and agendas. All three women are complex and three dimensional. You don't always like them—but you do always get them, which for me is the mark of a good author.
How can I describe this book? It was like reading a soap opera. Tons of action, tons of drama, villains,
scandal and flawed characters that you're fully invested in anyway and can't wait to see what happens to them. I literally could not stop reading. There's something completely addicting to this one, even more so than Katherine's last book, The Lion's Den, which was a five star read for me. This book catapults you forward with its often jaw dropping plot pivots. It's been two months since I read it and the story and the way it made me feel is still seared into my brain.
I think my love of The Siren had to do with the familiar baseline of the Hollywood types that it's about. You come into the book already feeling like you know who these people are because we've all seen people just like them in the media—or have we? Katherine humanizes each one as the story unfolds, unraveling their stereotypes and giving us a common enemy that we can't wait to see them obliterate. I actually felt a little whiplashed when it was done. I had this, "Welp, what am I supposed to do now???" feeling when it was over, like my favorite daytime drama had just ended forever and I wasn't going to be able to get my daily fix anymore. I could see this one ending up a movie for sure, or even a series. I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
I'm looking forward to more by this author. So far she's two for two with me!
Cole Power, (think Tom Cruise maybe?) a Hollywood staple for the last several decades, is making a movie on a secluded tropical island with his ex wife Stella.
Stella is a bit of a Lindsay Lohan. She was super hot in Hollywood in her prime, but she's now fallen into ruin via pills and alcohol and tabloid scandal. She's broke and her beauty has withered. Now in her 40's she's trying to stage her comeback, and what better way to do this than in Cole's new movie?
The book is told in three POVs. We've got Stella. Then there's the movie's producer, Taylor. And Felicity, Stella's PA, who Stella is totally dependent on. The multiple POVs really worked for me as I loved uncovering the backstories and personal vendettas of each woman that have driven them to this island.
Taylor is teetering on whether or not she wants to continue a career in the backstabbing, often political climate of Hollywood, and Felicity, Stella's long suffering PA has her own demons and agendas. All three women are complex and three dimensional. You don't always like them—but you do always get them, which for me is the mark of a good author.
How can I describe this book? It was like reading a soap opera. Tons of action, tons of drama, villains,
scandal and flawed characters that you're fully invested in anyway and can't wait to see what happens to them. I literally could not stop reading. There's something completely addicting to this one, even more so than Katherine's last book, The Lion's Den, which was a five star read for me. This book catapults you forward with its often jaw dropping plot pivots. It's been two months since I read it and the story and the way it made me feel is still seared into my brain.
I think my love of The Siren had to do with the familiar baseline of the Hollywood types that it's about. You come into the book already feeling like you know who these people are because we've all seen people just like them in the media—or have we? Katherine humanizes each one as the story unfolds, unraveling their stereotypes and giving us a common enemy that we can't wait to see them obliterate. I actually felt a little whiplashed when it was done. I had this, "Welp, what am I supposed to do now???" feeling when it was over, like my favorite daytime drama had just ended forever and I wasn't going to be able to get my daily fix anymore. I could see this one ending up a movie for sure, or even a series. I wouldn't be surprised if it did.
I'm looking forward to more by this author. So far she's two for two with me!
April 6, 2021
Part of the reason this novel was fun for me is that it’s about the movie industry. For some reason I think all the behind-the-scenes stuff that goes into making a movie fascinating.
It’s told from the point of view of three different women and goes back and forth in time. Stella has been acting since she was a kid, but she had some substance abuse issues and a very public breakdown that utterly derailed her career and finances. Taylor is a young producer who got screwed over by men on her last job, so she really needs this movie, The Siren, to help her turn her career around. Felicity is Stella’s new assistant, who seems extremely helpful, but has some ulterior motives for her interest in Stella and her ex-husband, the huge movie star Cole Powers, who was the one who got Stella hired for this low-budget movie filmed in the Bahamas.
There is a little bit of romance to go with the mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES MAY 4, 2021.
It’s told from the point of view of three different women and goes back and forth in time. Stella has been acting since she was a kid, but she had some substance abuse issues and a very public breakdown that utterly derailed her career and finances. Taylor is a young producer who got screwed over by men on her last job, so she really needs this movie, The Siren, to help her turn her career around. Felicity is Stella’s new assistant, who seems extremely helpful, but has some ulterior motives for her interest in Stella and her ex-husband, the huge movie star Cole Powers, who was the one who got Stella hired for this low-budget movie filmed in the Bahamas.
There is a little bit of romance to go with the mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, which RELEASES MAY 4, 2021.
May 20, 2021
The Siren was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 after reading and loving Lion's Den last year. The audiobook was amazing and did not disappoint. A cast of narrators for this addictive and juicy story was perfect and I could not stop listening, devouring it over 2 days.
A hot summer on a movie set on the island of St Genesius in the Caribbean - what more could you want? As you would expect the tension is high and the clothes are few. Long hidden secrets and lies are exposed for all involved. You never quite know who to trust as this blockbuster movie starts to crumble around them. And then there is the hurricane that is looming .... so much excitement.
You need to read this book - it is a guilty pleasure that you won't forget
A hot summer on a movie set on the island of St Genesius in the Caribbean - what more could you want? As you would expect the tension is high and the clothes are few. Long hidden secrets and lies are exposed for all involved. You never quite know who to trust as this blockbuster movie starts to crumble around them. And then there is the hurricane that is looming .... so much excitement.
You need to read this book - it is a guilty pleasure that you won't forget
February 17, 2021
While I didn't love The Siren as much as The Lion's Den, there is no doubt that Katherine St. John knows how to write a juicy summer read!
I loved Felicity's POV, and Stella's too, but I could have done without Taylor and her case of instalove... I just never connected with her. It was hard to keep everyone straight (especially when you throw their character names in too) but I really enjoyed escaping to the Caribbean with The Siren! I am already clamoring for Katherine St. John's next book.
I loved Felicity's POV, and Stella's too, but I could have done without Taylor and her case of instalove... I just never connected with her. It was hard to keep everyone straight (especially when you throw their character names in too) but I really enjoyed escaping to the Caribbean with The Siren! I am already clamoring for Katherine St. John's next book.
June 10, 2021
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I didn’t think I would be reading a mystery book!
This book was nothing that I expected-in a good way. It took me about 60% in to actually get invested. It was slow to start with the unfolding of everyone’s backstories. I kinda knew from the beginning minus the love aspect—that caught me by surprise.
The jist is Ex spouses come to an island to film a movie. Cole powers is despicable and his son Jackson is executive producing the movie—a means to make amends with his son for having a bad upbringing. Stella the ex wife is there and she is a serious hot mess express which being a washed up celeb and her past definitely makes you understand her. Then there’s Felicity who you kind of want to hate but you can’t—who had a stripper/drug addict for a mom who was murderer and she witnessed it—her role surprised me and how that was all laid out. Then Taylor who had a scandal blacklist her from producing movies is now trying to get back into working.
There’s so much that goes on in this 400 page novel that it’s hard to explain everything. There’s talks of rape, murder, drug/alcohol abuse and miscarriage. At some points it was kind of hard to keep reading.
Then a hurricane hits Coles private island in the Caribbean and movie production that was already behind because of weather is delayed and everyone is shuttled off the island and flown back to the mainland. But of course the main characters are stuck on the island in the middle of a hurricane and that’s when the real story starts to unfold. Towards the end I really couldn’t put the book down because I needed justice to be served.
Idk if I’d call this a beach read, it’s set on a tropical island but it’s definitely not a rom com fluffy happy go lucky novel. I’d prob get a sunburn from not paying attention to anything else but turning pages.
I didn’t think I would be reading a mystery book!
This book was nothing that I expected-in a good way. It took me about 60% in to actually get invested. It was slow to start with the unfolding of everyone’s backstories. I kinda knew from the beginning minus the love aspect—that caught me by surprise.
The jist is Ex spouses come to an island to film a movie. Cole powers is despicable and his son Jackson is executive producing the movie—a means to make amends with his son for having a bad upbringing. Stella the ex wife is there and she is a serious hot mess express which being a washed up celeb and her past definitely makes you understand her. Then there’s Felicity who you kind of want to hate but you can’t—who had a stripper/drug addict for a mom who was murderer and she witnessed it—her role surprised me and how that was all laid out. Then Taylor who had a scandal blacklist her from producing movies is now trying to get back into working.
There’s so much that goes on in this 400 page novel that it’s hard to explain everything. There’s talks of rape, murder, drug/alcohol abuse and miscarriage. At some points it was kind of hard to keep reading.
Then a hurricane hits Coles private island in the Caribbean and movie production that was already behind because of weather is delayed and everyone is shuttled off the island and flown back to the mainland. But of course the main characters are stuck on the island in the middle of a hurricane and that’s when the real story starts to unfold. Towards the end I really couldn’t put the book down because I needed justice to be served.
Idk if I’d call this a beach read, it’s set on a tropical island but it’s definitely not a rom com fluffy happy go lucky novel. I’d prob get a sunburn from not paying attention to anything else but turning pages.
June 8, 2021
3.5 stars
The Siren , Katherine St. John's newest book, really has So. Much. Drama.
The Caribbean island of St. Genesius is going to be the setting of spectacular drama, both on-screen and off. Megastar Cole Power has agreed to star in The Siren , a film written by his son, Jackson, and in a major casting coup, Cole’s ex-wife, Stella Rivers, has agreed to co-star. After their marriage fizzled, Stella had a long run of public breakdowns and incidents, visited a rehab or two, and is finally trying to get her career back on track.
Taylor Wasserman is producing the movie and hopes the success will help give her a second chance in the film industry after her ruthless father ruined her reputation with a scandal. But it won’t be easy—Cole has a reputation for being a manipulative womanizer, Stella is supposed to stay sober throughout the filming (no easy feat there), and then there’s Stella’s new assistant, who definitely seems to have secrets of her own.
As if keeping everyone’s egos and weaknesses in check isn’t difficult enough, there are challenges during filming. And then a hurricane is headed for St. Genesius. Will the film get made? Will anyone survive? What damage will the secrets that surely are hidden do to the film and its participants?
You know, I love good melodrama, and boy, The Siren had it by the boatload. It was full of secrets and lies and scandals and romance galore, with lots of possible scenarios as people’s schemes and lies and treachery start to see the light of day.
I wasn’t planning to read this because I was the only person on earth who didn’t love the author’s first book ( The Lion's Den ), but FOMO on Bookstagram is a powerful thing!! I liked this better for sure. There certainly were lots of twists I saw coming (kudos for the one I didn’t), but it was definitely a fun, soapy ride.
There’s no drama like drama on a movie set!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
The Siren , Katherine St. John's newest book, really has So. Much. Drama.
The Caribbean island of St. Genesius is going to be the setting of spectacular drama, both on-screen and off. Megastar Cole Power has agreed to star in The Siren , a film written by his son, Jackson, and in a major casting coup, Cole’s ex-wife, Stella Rivers, has agreed to co-star. After their marriage fizzled, Stella had a long run of public breakdowns and incidents, visited a rehab or two, and is finally trying to get her career back on track.
Taylor Wasserman is producing the movie and hopes the success will help give her a second chance in the film industry after her ruthless father ruined her reputation with a scandal. But it won’t be easy—Cole has a reputation for being a manipulative womanizer, Stella is supposed to stay sober throughout the filming (no easy feat there), and then there’s Stella’s new assistant, who definitely seems to have secrets of her own.
As if keeping everyone’s egos and weaknesses in check isn’t difficult enough, there are challenges during filming. And then a hurricane is headed for St. Genesius. Will the film get made? Will anyone survive? What damage will the secrets that surely are hidden do to the film and its participants?
You know, I love good melodrama, and boy, The Siren had it by the boatload. It was full of secrets and lies and scandals and romance galore, with lots of possible scenarios as people’s schemes and lies and treachery start to see the light of day.
I wasn’t planning to read this because I was the only person on earth who didn’t love the author’s first book ( The Lion's Den ), but FOMO on Bookstagram is a powerful thing!! I liked this better for sure. There certainly were lots of twists I saw coming (kudos for the one I didn’t), but it was definitely a fun, soapy ride.
There’s no drama like drama on a movie set!!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
August 26, 2021
3.5 stars
This was not what I expected yet it definitely met my expectations. I expected I would love this book and love I did, but the story was not something I was expecting. I certainly didn't expect it to turn into a mystery novel.
I loved the women in this book. Their backstories and struggles felt so real. My heart really went out for them. All three of them having suffered so much, I just wished them to get some happiness. There is discussion around drug abuse, rape, abortion, gaslighting and homopbobia. It is disturbing tbh. But my favorite part of the story has to be how these strong women bonded over each other. Even while carrying so much shame and guilt they sought to comfort and understand each other. I liked how not all men were portrayed as villains but we had good supporting characters. There were romantic subplots which were enjoyable. It was a reprieve to the dark and disturbing stuff going on otherwise. I also liked the way the story jumped between present and past. Especially using media items of to build an image of the characters past life in order to create contrast with their reality was done really well.
The few things this book could have done better was pacing. Nothing of significance happens till 50%. The book could have easily lost 50pages of the middle portion and it wouldn't have made a difference. Where the beginning was really slow, the ending I felt was very rushed. And not as much satisfying? By 75% of this book I was totally hooked. I was mad and angry and I needed to see justice be done. Yeah this may make me sound a bit extreme but trust me anyone would feel the same when they read. But in the end it just felt too easily wrapped up. The ending needed a little bit more flair.
Overall it was a good read. Not your typical feel good beach read. Don't let the cover fool you.
This was not what I expected yet it definitely met my expectations. I expected I would love this book and love I did, but the story was not something I was expecting. I certainly didn't expect it to turn into a mystery novel.
I loved the women in this book. Their backstories and struggles felt so real. My heart really went out for them. All three of them having suffered so much, I just wished them to get some happiness. There is discussion around drug abuse, rape, abortion, gaslighting and homopbobia. It is disturbing tbh. But my favorite part of the story has to be how these strong women bonded over each other. Even while carrying so much shame and guilt they sought to comfort and understand each other. I liked how not all men were portrayed as villains but we had good supporting characters. There were romantic subplots which were enjoyable. It was a reprieve to the dark and disturbing stuff going on otherwise. I also liked the way the story jumped between present and past. Especially using media items of to build an image of the characters past life in order to create contrast with their reality was done really well.
The few things this book could have done better was pacing. Nothing of significance happens till 50%. The book could have easily lost 50pages of the middle portion and it wouldn't have made a difference. Where the beginning was really slow, the ending I felt was very rushed. And not as much satisfying? By 75% of this book I was totally hooked. I was mad and angry and I needed to see justice be done. Yeah this may make me sound a bit extreme but trust me anyone would feel the same when they read. But in the end it just felt too easily wrapped up. The ending needed a little bit more flair.
Overall it was a good read. Not your typical feel good beach read. Don't let the cover fool you.
May 4, 2021
After I read Katherine St. John’s debut novel The Lion’s Den, which came out last year, I knew she was an author to watch. Her second novel, The Siren, is about the movie-making business, something St. John, who has worked as an actress, screenwriter, director, and producer, knows a lot about. And as with her first novel, her latest is a thriller about people behaving very badly. Oh what fun.
A movie is being filmed on a Caribbean Island. It stars and is being financed by mega-star Cole Power. He also owns the island. His son Jackson has written the script and will be making his directorial debut for the film The Siren. Also starring is Stella Rivers, ex-wife of Cole. Stella’s career has stalled because of a myriad of personal issues and mishaps. She needs this movie to reboot her career. Young producer Taylor Wasserman is also hoping for the film to help her career as she left her former company in scandal. And finally, there’s Felicity Fox, Stella’s beautiful assistant, who has her own secrets. The book is told from the perspectives of the three women. Each of their backstories are revealed in a skillful way with lots of surprises.
From day one, the film is fraught with problems. In addition to the cast of trouble-making characters, the biggest problem may be a hurricane heading towards the island. Soon everyone’s secrets come to light while danger lurks. It’s pure over-the-top escapism. Grab your beach chair, a Pina Colada and enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read The Siren in advance of its May 4, 2021 publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
A movie is being filmed on a Caribbean Island. It stars and is being financed by mega-star Cole Power. He also owns the island. His son Jackson has written the script and will be making his directorial debut for the film The Siren. Also starring is Stella Rivers, ex-wife of Cole. Stella’s career has stalled because of a myriad of personal issues and mishaps. She needs this movie to reboot her career. Young producer Taylor Wasserman is also hoping for the film to help her career as she left her former company in scandal. And finally, there’s Felicity Fox, Stella’s beautiful assistant, who has her own secrets. The book is told from the perspectives of the three women. Each of their backstories are revealed in a skillful way with lots of surprises.
From day one, the film is fraught with problems. In addition to the cast of trouble-making characters, the biggest problem may be a hurricane heading towards the island. Soon everyone’s secrets come to light while danger lurks. It’s pure over-the-top escapism. Grab your beach chair, a Pina Colada and enjoy this book.
Many thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the opportunity to read The Siren in advance of its May 4, 2021 publication.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
June 11, 2021
A juicy guilty pleasure with a lot of heart.
I saved this book, my first by Katherine St. John, for vacation as I heard it was high drama and a perfect vacation read. And it was. But it was so much more than I expected, I fell in love with these characters, especially Stella.
The setting:
A movie set in the Caribbean.
The cast:
Stella, a washed up middle aged actress
Felicity, Stella's assistant
Taylor, a has-been producer
Told in alternating chapters from each of the female's voices, plus news articles, this was a great story about lies, ruthlessness and, best of all, love. It also contained some great supporting characters who were quite endearing.
I absolutely loved it!
I saved this book, my first by Katherine St. John, for vacation as I heard it was high drama and a perfect vacation read. And it was. But it was so much more than I expected, I fell in love with these characters, especially Stella.
The setting:
A movie set in the Caribbean.
The cast:
Stella, a washed up middle aged actress
Felicity, Stella's assistant
Taylor, a has-been producer
Told in alternating chapters from each of the female's voices, plus news articles, this was a great story about lies, ruthlessness and, best of all, love. It also contained some great supporting characters who were quite endearing.
I absolutely loved it!
April 28, 2021
A sultry, tense thriller taking place beneath the Caribbean sun...a hurricane threatening on the horizon...and dark secrets hovering just under the surface, like sharks beneath the crystal blue water... And that's just the movie the characters are working on!
In Katherine St. John's newest book, The Siren, there's something of And Then There Were None about the way the characters are brought together (in this case, to film a movie at an island resort). Unfortunately, St. John could benefit from Agatha Christie's talent for pacing.
The Siren is a slooooow burn. It may be a thriller, but for way too much of the book the action and the thrills are limited to Felicity’s flashbacks, while the bulk of the story meanders along through the development of a (fairly dull) movie. As is often the way with thrillers that go on a bit too long, after many pages of relative inaction, everything happens all at once in one crashing denouement. Pacing-wise, this is where the book finally gets fun - plot-wise, it falls apart, but at least stuff is happening.
The characters are not much more than archetypes, not very thoroughly fleshed out, which is odd since the point of the achingly slow drag of the first 2/3 of The Siren seems to be to develop character. But all it does is pile up the stereotypes and layer evidence toward obvious, broadly drawn personalities and backstories the reader can understand way faster than the book gives us credit for. And once we hit the climactic part of the book, characters change their minds and motivations at the drop of a hat, making sudden choices that come out of nowhere...despite all those pages of character development leading up to it.
This is all super frustrating because, really, the bones of a great, fun, juicy story are in there; there’s just a lot of bloat and padding covering them up. I'd even forgive the unsettling weirdness of a certain choice made for the story's conclusion if it felt a bit more earned. But it just took too long to get to too little pay-off.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advance review copy!
In Katherine St. John's newest book, The Siren, there's something of And Then There Were None about the way the characters are brought together (in this case, to film a movie at an island resort). Unfortunately, St. John could benefit from Agatha Christie's talent for pacing.
The Siren is a slooooow burn. It may be a thriller, but for way too much of the book the action and the thrills are limited to Felicity’s flashbacks, while the bulk of the story meanders along through the development of a (fairly dull) movie. As is often the way with thrillers that go on a bit too long, after many pages of relative inaction, everything happens all at once in one crashing denouement. Pacing-wise, this is where the book finally gets fun - plot-wise, it falls apart, but at least stuff is happening.
The characters are not much more than archetypes, not very thoroughly fleshed out, which is odd since the point of the achingly slow drag of the first 2/3 of The Siren seems to be to develop character. But all it does is pile up the stereotypes and layer evidence toward obvious, broadly drawn personalities and backstories the reader can understand way faster than the book gives us credit for. And once we hit the climactic part of the book, characters change their minds and motivations at the drop of a hat, making sudden choices that come out of nowhere...despite all those pages of character development leading up to it.
This is all super frustrating because, really, the bones of a great, fun, juicy story are in there; there’s just a lot of bloat and padding covering them up. I'd even forgive the unsettling weirdness of a certain choice made for the story's conclusion if it felt a bit more earned. But it just took too long to get to too little pay-off.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the advance review copy!
July 21, 2021
"Just give me a little direction. I'm ready to play my part."
For as light and bubbly as that cover is, this is a bit of a dark story. It's Hollywood, baby. The life of the stars and lights and flashes from cameras. A gaggle of people are off to a tropical island to film a new hit.
The story is told from three female perspectives. One is the one helping produce it - Taylor. She's a no non-sense girl that has gotten recently wrapped up in some Hollywood drama and she's hoping to get a bit of good press along with making a good movie.
We also have Stella. She's a bit of a washed-up child actor who is all grown up. She's a bit of a mess and is hoping to make a comeback with this film. But starring opposite her ex-husband Cole is taking a toll on her and she's beginning to wonder if she still has this whole acting thing in her.
Our third perspective is Felicity. We have her both previous perspective as a child and now her as an adult and aid to Stella on the set.
Initially, it's easy to tie a few of these people together and see how this is going to play out. It's dark, but it's pretty straightforward. It's the details you don't know. Because there are a lot more people in the plot and a lot more going on than these 3 perspectives know. And what they don't know just might get one of them killed.
I loved the story but it was dark and there are definite trigger warnings for some.
* I read an excerpt from Netgalley since I was on the fence about whether I would love this one. Such a great cover!
For as light and bubbly as that cover is, this is a bit of a dark story. It's Hollywood, baby. The life of the stars and lights and flashes from cameras. A gaggle of people are off to a tropical island to film a new hit.
The story is told from three female perspectives. One is the one helping produce it - Taylor. She's a no non-sense girl that has gotten recently wrapped up in some Hollywood drama and she's hoping to get a bit of good press along with making a good movie.
We also have Stella. She's a bit of a washed-up child actor who is all grown up. She's a bit of a mess and is hoping to make a comeback with this film. But starring opposite her ex-husband Cole is taking a toll on her and she's beginning to wonder if she still has this whole acting thing in her.
Our third perspective is Felicity. We have her both previous perspective as a child and now her as an adult and aid to Stella on the set.
Initially, it's easy to tie a few of these people together and see how this is going to play out. It's dark, but it's pretty straightforward. It's the details you don't know. Because there are a lot more people in the plot and a lot more going on than these 3 perspectives know. And what they don't know just might get one of them killed.
I loved the story but it was dark and there are definite trigger warnings for some.
* I read an excerpt from Netgalley since I was on the fence about whether I would love this one. Such a great cover!
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 5, 2021
Trigger Warning: Rape, Assault, Murder, Overdose, Drug Abuse
How do I even sum up this book? I dunno.
There are twists and turns aplenty, some that will be spotted, others not.
But if you're looking for a deliciously gossipy thriller with modern Hollywood scandals all set on a ticking time bomb of an island with dashes of Verity, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Darling Rose Gold, then this is fucking the book for you.
Full RTC.
How do I even sum up this book? I dunno.
There are twists and turns aplenty, some that will be spotted, others not.
But if you're looking for a deliciously gossipy thriller with modern Hollywood scandals all set on a ticking time bomb of an island with dashes of Verity, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Darling Rose Gold, then this is fucking the book for you.
Full RTC.
June 8, 2021
I loved The Lion’s Den – it was one of my favorite thriller reads of last summer and I thought it was engrossing, lavish and deadly – a real compulsive read. So when I saw that Katherine St. John had another book out, I was more than excited to read this fabulous gem.
The Siren was a compulsive read that when you start, you will definitely have a hard time putting this book down. I carried this book everywhere, sneaking in a chance to read every moment I could to read this fabulous book. My fingers worked over time as I could not turn those pages fast enough.
This story brought the glamour of Hollywood back into the spotlight – I loved reading about the drama about the mega stars and this one did not disappoint. The story started out in the Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film THE SIREN, starring a handsome megastar Cole Power. The story was told through the Point of Views of three women – Stella Rivers, Cole Powers ex-wife whose career needs a revamp after a very public and scandalous breakdown; Taylor the burned-out movie producer tired of the backstabbing of Hollywood life; and Felicity, Stella’s new assistant who had an agenda of her own. I enjoyed the news headlines in between throughout the story which added to the fun about the movie industry.
The story was filled with drama , exciting characters and thrilling razor sharp plot lines. I loved the twists and shocking revelations.
The Siren was another winner for me. I would not be surprised to see this grace the silver screen.
The Siren was a compulsive read that when you start, you will definitely have a hard time putting this book down. I carried this book everywhere, sneaking in a chance to read every moment I could to read this fabulous book. My fingers worked over time as I could not turn those pages fast enough.
This story brought the glamour of Hollywood back into the spotlight – I loved reading about the drama about the mega stars and this one did not disappoint. The story started out in the Caribbean island of St. Genesius to film THE SIREN, starring a handsome megastar Cole Power. The story was told through the Point of Views of three women – Stella Rivers, Cole Powers ex-wife whose career needs a revamp after a very public and scandalous breakdown; Taylor the burned-out movie producer tired of the backstabbing of Hollywood life; and Felicity, Stella’s new assistant who had an agenda of her own. I enjoyed the news headlines in between throughout the story which added to the fun about the movie industry.
The story was filled with drama , exciting characters and thrilling razor sharp plot lines. I loved the twists and shocking revelations.
The Siren was another winner for me. I would not be surprised to see this grace the silver screen.
May 10, 2021
Mystery
This book is such a contemporary story. There are celebrities making a movie in a tropical location, add in some social media influencers, lots of backstory, and a scandal over a dead body and you get The Siren.
Told from multiple POV's and multiple timelines we learn Stella (movie star), Taylor (Producer) and Felicity's (wronged woman) stories. They have all been f'd over by the men in their lives. Stella's ex husband Cole is the lead in the movie. There was a terrible break-up years ago that began Stella's downward spiral. Taylor previously worked for her father and he fired her amidst a major scandal. Something happened in Felicity's past that has made her keep men at a distance. They have all come together on this island to film a movie and everything from the past comes forward leading to many interesting confrontations.
The storyline is juicy and very readable, but I didn't think it was particularly clever or original. It is a perfect beach read.
Thank you to Swampfox books and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
This book is such a contemporary story. There are celebrities making a movie in a tropical location, add in some social media influencers, lots of backstory, and a scandal over a dead body and you get The Siren.
Told from multiple POV's and multiple timelines we learn Stella (movie star), Taylor (Producer) and Felicity's (wronged woman) stories. They have all been f'd over by the men in their lives. Stella's ex husband Cole is the lead in the movie. There was a terrible break-up years ago that began Stella's downward spiral. Taylor previously worked for her father and he fired her amidst a major scandal. Something happened in Felicity's past that has made her keep men at a distance. They have all come together on this island to film a movie and everything from the past comes forward leading to many interesting confrontations.
The storyline is juicy and very readable, but I didn't think it was particularly clever or original. It is a perfect beach read.
Thank you to Swampfox books and the publisher for my ARC of this novel.
December 9, 2020
Just finished this book and it was amazing!! St. John is so talented!! I read The Lion’s Den by her this year and absolutely loved and loved The Siren even more!! This book is the PERFECT book for summer or the beach or any time of the year! My best way of describing it is a mash of chic lit (with much more substance) and suspense and thriller. It was such a delight to read this and I can’t wait to read more from her! 😍
June 2, 2021
I was so excited when I came across a book description that was about a juicy Hollywood movie shoot that’s scandalous, glamorous, full of dark secrets AND was categorized as a thriller?! Sign me up!!
I was slightly let down after all that I built it up to be in my mind but I still found it to be super entertaining and I was intrigued throughout!
I always enjoy multiple POVs and relished in the usage of different media types scattered throughout with the Instagram posts and the gossip magazine and tabloid headlines!
While it was a bit longer than I typically prefer, I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a lighter type of thriller!
I was slightly let down after all that I built it up to be in my mind but I still found it to be super entertaining and I was intrigued throughout!
I always enjoy multiple POVs and relished in the usage of different media types scattered throughout with the Instagram posts and the gossip magazine and tabloid headlines!
While it was a bit longer than I typically prefer, I recommend checking it out if you’re looking for a lighter type of thriller!
September 11, 2021
✨ "That was one of the strangest things about becoming famous: everyone felt like they owned a piece of you."
This was one juicy read! I love that the story is interspersed with tabloid articles and Instagram posts. That and its Hollywood theme reminded me of Evelyn Hugo and prompted me to pick this up. Some of my favourite aspects of the book are the Caribbean setting, the Hollywood glitz and glamour, the insight into showbiz and its toxicity, as well as the colourful bunch of characters.
As a thriller, I thought the story was quite straightforward and nothing exceptional. Don't expect some dramatic story full of twists and turns. The climax, despite taking place when the characters are stranded in a hurricane, was disappointing. However, I feel like the book definitely delivered on the escapism that it promises.
The story is told from the POVs of three women and I loved all their arcs. However, while Felicity had a more distinct voice, Taylor and Stella sounded very similar at times.
The themes of this book were a pleasant surprise and what I loved best: Female empowerment, #metoo, love and more. I also thought the author did a good job in portraying the coping mechanisms we turn to in times of grief and loss.
Overall, this was a fun read that I enjoyed.
✨ "My go-to answer has always been an eye for an eye. But I'm beginning to understand that life is sometimes more complicated than that."
April 4, 2021
Katherine St. John has this wondrous way of writing these luscious and beautiful escapism novels, with the gorgeous back drop and scenery that take you away from the world... I loved her debut novel The Lion’s Den and in her follow-up novel The Siren, St. John takes us to the Caribbean and the life of Hollywood, behind the scenes of a production of a film starring a real life divorced couple of film stars, told from the female lead Stella, her assistant Felicity (who has some secrets), and the producer of the film (Taylor - whose POV was imo pointless until the very end)....
I thought the first 25% of the book dragged....Taylor’s POV was truly unnecessary, and it bogged down the story, setting up Felicity’s past and Stella’s life with Cole and how they connected.
Once you learn more about Felicity’s reasoning for being on the film set, it became a truly juicy page turner that I did not want to put down. St. John really swept me away and I loved these characters she created. I also just really loved the whole Hollywood / film production aspect, I thought it was very neat to see the behind the scenes elements told in fiction.
A great beachy escapist summer read; I can’t wait for her next book! Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy!
4 ⭐️
I thought the first 25% of the book dragged....Taylor’s POV was truly unnecessary, and it bogged down the story, setting up Felicity’s past and Stella’s life with Cole and how they connected.
Once you learn more about Felicity’s reasoning for being on the film set, it became a truly juicy page turner that I did not want to put down. St. John really swept me away and I loved these characters she created. I also just really loved the whole Hollywood / film production aspect, I thought it was very neat to see the behind the scenes elements told in fiction.
A great beachy escapist summer read; I can’t wait for her next book! Thanks to Grand Central Publishing for the advanced copy!
4 ⭐️
May 16, 2021
Has someone ever told you a story that was so full of drama, unbelievably crazy, and just a big mess? …the type of story that made you think to yourself, ‘thank God I wasn’t there, because that is wild!’… Well, multiply that story by 1000 and you’ve got The Siren. This story not only had multiple reveals throughout the book (which I absolutely loved!), but those multiple reveals kept me intrigued and wanting more…. a lot more… and my goodness, St. John delivered!! So, buckle up my friends, cause you’re in for a wild ride!
Dangerously handsome Cole Power and his ex-wife, Stella Rivers, come together on a beautiful Carribean island to film The Siren. This blockbuster film promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.
Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella (Cole’s ex-wife), an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost after many public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella's mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend everyone's plans.
With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself.
Dangerously handsome Cole Power and his ex-wife, Stella Rivers, come together on a beautiful Carribean island to film The Siren. This blockbuster film promises to entice audiences with its sultry storyline and intimately connected cast.
Three very different women arrive on set, each with her own motive. Stella (Cole’s ex-wife), an infamously unstable actress, is struggling to reclaim the career she lost after many public breakdowns. Taylor, a fledgling producer, is anxious to work on a film she hopes will turn her career around after her last job ended in scandal. And Felicity, Stella's mysterious new assistant, harbors designs of her own that threaten to upend everyone's plans.
With a hurricane brewing offshore, each woman finds herself trapped on the island, united against a common enemy. But as deceptions come to light, misplaced trust may prove more perilous than the storm itself.
May 17, 2021
Set on a southern Caribbean island, three women share their story as they navigate the world of power and fame during production of The Siren, an indie thriller promising to be a success. With a mystery immediately thrown in from the start, this story was simply unputdownable as the drama unfolds around them.
"But the maddening truth is that once you've bathed in the warmth of the limelight, you find you're damn cold when it no longer shines on you, no matter how you despised its glare."
Also told through tabloid articles, Instagram posts, and flashbacks, I loved the mixed format that brought this story to life. With Cole Power, the leading actor of the film, being the driving force behind the secrets revealed, I loved the intricate way these characters were connected.
While I loved The Lion's Den a tad more, I can officially say I will read anything Katherine St. John publishes in the future.
Content Warning: Rape. Drug abuse.
"But the maddening truth is that once you've bathed in the warmth of the limelight, you find you're damn cold when it no longer shines on you, no matter how you despised its glare."
Also told through tabloid articles, Instagram posts, and flashbacks, I loved the mixed format that brought this story to life. With Cole Power, the leading actor of the film, being the driving force behind the secrets revealed, I loved the intricate way these characters were connected.
While I loved The Lion's Den a tad more, I can officially say I will read anything Katherine St. John publishes in the future.
Content Warning: Rape. Drug abuse.
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