The Lion's Den(122)

On Day 7, Belle confronts Summer over what she’s done, and Summer replies, “You still don’t understand how the world works, do you? Everything has a price, and I can afford it.” Do you agree? While extreme wealth can certainly open doors in terms of opportunity, do you believe wealth equates to authority? Why or why not?

Belle refers to Summer and Wendy as her best friends but often feels rejected by them. Why do you think they treat Belle the way they do? Why do you think Belle stays friends with them? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation with a close female friend? How did you go about resolving this issue? In your opinion, what is the best way to approach emotionally fraught conversations?

At the end of the book, Belle has an opportunity to confront Summer but doesn’t. Why? What does this tell you about Belle’s character? How has she changed over the course of the book?

The Lion’s Den is set in one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. Knowing now what transpires over the course of the novel, how does the book’s idyllic location enhance your experience of the story? How else does the author use beauty as a red herring?

There are a number of twists and turns in the plot. Which surprised you the most? What was your favorite part of the book?

Belle learns a lot about wealth over the course of the novel. What do you believe is her final takeaway?