Book 164 towards my goal of 280! 4/5 stars for this heavy family drama! Reading some of BAs previous books, I went in blind with this one. Thought I was getting another thriller novel but instead got this hard hitting read. Highly recommend!

Amazing! Just absolutely amazing! B.A. Paris writes yet another fantastic book. I can’t recommend her enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Livia has saved 20 years for a fabulous 40th birthday party, and the time has finally arrived. Her son is working on his Master’s and her daughter is spending her first year of college in Hong Kong. Their lives seem ideal. But everything is not as it seems, and when Marnie collaborated with her dad to fly home as a surprise for her mother’s party, all manner of secrets and lies come out. Relationships are tested and people review their true natures. I didn’t see this as a traditional thriller. There’s no murderer or kidnapper whose identity needs to be discovered so the day can be saved. But I was still riveted. And it’s still thrilling.

Yet another great book from a great author! This is my second book of hers and I will definitely be catching up with her precious books and look forward to more to come. This was a very emotional story that had me in tears for way too many chapters.

Every time I read a book by B. A. Paris, I hope I will enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed "Behind Closed Doors." It had me hooked from beginning to end. Unfortunately, none of the subsequent books released by the author have been enjoyable. "The Dilemma" is another disappointment. It starts with a secret that the wife is hiding from her husband about their daughter. As the story progresses, we learn that the husband is hiding something, too. Unfortunately, the conclusion to what began as an interesting premise is anticlimatic and unrealistic. The story is also drawn out and the characters' actions are not believable. Maybe lightning only struck once with this author.

I went into this one thinking it was going to be a thriller (I didn't read the synopsis before heading in) and although it wasn't what I was expecting I didn't hate it. Quite the opposite actually. Loved this family drama and all of the secrets that continue to unravel. What's next B. A.?

The Dilemma is properly named. This story leaves you feeling alarmed, anxious, hesitant, and doubtful all the synonyms for a dilemma. Livia and Adam are to celebrate Livia's long-planned and extravagant 40th birthday. Secrets on both their parts' are keeping them from truly enjoying the party. As the story unfolds by the hour the drama heightens. Neither knows what the other is dealing with. The readers are privy to the couples' thoughts since the story is told from both points of view. Throughout The Dilemma, they assume they know what each other's reactions would be to their news. As you read, you assume you know what you would do, but the real truth seems to be who knows what anyone would do or how anyone would react. The true complexities of any situation may not be apparent, because one individual usually doesn't have all the facts. B.A. Paris created true anguish that couples, parents, or friends can relate to. Sometimes "knowing" things are too much to handle.

Secrets have a way of becoming a dilemma and becoming a family's worst nightmare. The narration is between husband and wife. Livia and Adam. You learn about their marriage. The hard road of Livia's parents separation from their daughter. The sacrifices made. With Livia's 40th birthday coming up, Adam is compelled to give his wife the party that she deserves. With everyone that loves his wife to celebrate. Their grown children daughter and son are a part of the celebration as well.

Both Livia and Adam are keeping a secret concerning their daughter. As the party progresses, they both are holding their secret to save the other. It becomes a dilemma when they both wrestle with their own different secret that they know will change their friendships and their lives. But the party must go on. That is until the last guest is gone and reality hits the fan. Then the dilemma becomes will their marriage survive.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Ehhh.. I just wasn't invested in the characters. I don't even remember finishing it to be honest. It can easily fall into the category of just bleh.

Show me a husband and wife duo that doesn’t have any secrets. I dare you! In B. A. Paris’s new book, Livia and Adam are protecting their secrets from each other. One’s secret is damaging while the other’s secret is heartbreaking. Both are keeping their secrets because it is Livia’s 40th Birthday and party. She party is hosting a party of all parties to celebrate and make up for the wedding party she never had. Both deal with the need to share their secret, but feel it is important to wait until after the party.

This book was a fast read, but I wouldn’t say it was Paris’s best work. The story was intriguing, but I found the back and forth of the key players agony to be annoying. I also found the ending to be rushed. I get that one of the secrets was felt best kept until there was concrete proof, as a parent and spouse, I just cannot process it ever being kept. The other’s secret doesn’t even hold a flame towards the impact and life changing secret that was being kept from them. They both have their reasons whether I agree or not.

I enjoyed the book, but it didn't wow me as much as her book Behind Closed Doors. This book was repetitive, but well written all at the same time.

I give this book 3.5 stars but will round up to 4 starts for Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Livia and Adam have been married for over 20 years, and are celebrating Livia's 40th birthday with a huge party. Neither realizes that as the day goes on, each is harboring secrets that become larger and larger, and threaten the family as they know it.

I was hooked from the beginning of the book. I wanted to know what secrets were already being hidden. As more secrets developed, I wanted to know what was going to happen. I was invested in the characters and I wanted everything to work out for them. I will say that at a point it did seem to drag on a bit--it reminded me of a soap opera, where it takes you a week to find out who was driving the car--and I wanted all the characters to really be aware of what was going on.

The conclusion was satisfying, though not what I was hoping for for this family. I wanted everything to turn out ok, but like real life, that is not always the case.

This book was different from others I've read by this author--I really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read the next one. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Holy Heckballs! I was equal parts glued to the pages and close to throwing my Kindle in frustration at the same time. I could not get through this quick enough. I needed to know everyone's secrets and how this was all going to turn out. The characters were truly unlikeable (at least to me) and I can't say I understand their motivations for keeping the secrets that they did. Yeah, they were doing it to try to protect their spouse, but their actions were unbelievable to me. If you even suspected your daughter was killed in a plane crash, it's reprehensible to not say something because you didn't want to spoil your wife's big party simply because she didn't get the wedding she wanted or you think she deserved so many years ago - to just give her one more night of normal before her world would come unraveled. I get the husband not wanting to confirm his biggest fear because once you know, you can't unknow. No matter what, the writing was well done and the story kept me engrossed until the very end.

Love B.A. Paris books! This story broke my heart in a thousand pieces.
Grabbed my interest from the beginning and kept me engaged. The plot was interesting and the characters were true to life.I
4 stars.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and B.A.Paris for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

The party is being planned. It is Livia's 40th birthday, and she want a big party which she dreamed of since she was 17. Her husband Adam is making this one of kind party happen to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will attend except her daughter, Marnie, who is studying in Hing Kong. Little does Livia know that this party will divide her life into two parts - before and after.

Overall, I quite enjoyed The Dilemma. The story is being told by two characters - Livia and Adam. It unfolds in present with many flashbacks to the past which explain many issues in the present. I enjoy this technique and I truly think that B.A. Paris is vey talented with it. The transition from present to past and back are vey smooth and never are out of the context. Every shared story is very deliberate and is a next piece to the puzzle. The whole story is about one day basically, at the same time, the reader learns the whole story of Livia and Adam.

Particularly, I was impressed with the turmoil that dam went through during the party preparation and the party itself. His emotions and his mental state was exquisitely described. I assume that Livia was supposed to be the main protagonist, but I see Adam's taking her place.

This book was ok for me. It felt a bit drawn out being basically in the span of one day.
I could appreciate the emotions and drama the characters experienced.

I really liked the author's book Behind Closed Doors. So, I was excited to get a copy of The Dilemma to read. The book Behind Closed Doors was great! This book....not so great.

The book starts off the day of Livia's 40th birthday party. Livia has been saving up for twenty years to celebrate her 40th birthday. She has invited 100 guests. Including her estranged parents, she hasn't seen in over twenty years. We immediately find out Livia has been carrying a secret about their daughter Marnie from her husband Adam. One that she feels will change their lives forever. Adam has a secret of his own about Marnie. Throughout the day both Livia and Adam go back and forth wondering if keeping their secret is for the best until after the party. At least Adam is, Livia is selfish. Nothing is going to stand in the way of her party. Josh their son, also has a secret of his own. This family loves to keep secrets or “surprises” from each other.

80% of the book is a span of a single day. Livia going back and forth about her secret, not wanting to ruin her party or Adam's life. And Adam going back and forth with his secret, wondering if he is doing the right thing withholding information from Livia so she can enjoy her last day of happiness.

I kept asking myself, while reading, who acts like this? And it came to me. Soap Operas from the 90's. This reads like a script from a soap opera. The writers of Soap Operas tend to draw out the inevitable. You can stop watching a soap opera for days, at times even a week, and come back to it and the actors/actresses will be in the same living room talking about the same thing or thinking about the same thing. Like really, its so drawn out. The only difference is, after the buildup, you are shocked at the outcome.

This book had no “OMG!” moment. Even what I found out exactly what secrets they were, I was like Seriously? Was that it?? I was thoroughly disappointed. The beginning had build up, you get drawn into the storyline and then you get stalled out. Even the revelations and conclusion was lackluster at best.

Overall I give the book 3 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced digital copy. The opinions expressed are truly my own.

An Angel walking to the Devil's beat. - Marnie

B.A. Paris is a genius ! Master at her craft. I have loved every book that she has written and this one is no different. In one instant an apparent perfect marriage life and family are shattered Secrets are reveled. Pasts are faced. I could not put this down. This book has it all, love, friendship. betrayal, illness, death, grief and hope. Excellent from start to finish

The Dilemma by BA Paris

What I Loved: I am not sure what it is about Paris’ writing, but everything I read by her completely sucks me in and has me on the edge of my seat from page one. In this latest domestic thriller, the reader watches and as a husband and wife, who should have the communication thing down after decades of marriage, just stopped talking to each other. There is also the tension surrounding what it actually going on vs what the characters think is happening and it is simultaneously deliciouly suspenseful and unnervingly human.

The characters on the whole are likeable. Paris does a fantastic job helping you to see and empathize with Adam and Livia’s actions and motivations.

What I Didn’t Love: While I adored this novel, it won’t be for everyone, as Goodresds reviews will attest. The pacing is a little slower but I personally thought the slightly slower pace (most of the book takes place across one day) only augmented the growing sense of unease. Similarly, this book would have never happened if two married characters hadn’t just sat down and had a serious heart to heart about what was going on. I could definitely see people getting frustrated. So if your prime to random angry outburst directed towards characters being ridiculous, maybe don’t read this one in a public, or strictly quiet, place.

Livia grew up in London with rather distant parents, but has good memories of the hours she and her mother spent perusing bridal magazines. Livia and her mother would look at the dresses and cakes and flower arrangements, and mom would talk about the wonderful wedding she and her husband would make Livia one day. Livia dreamed about this wedding all through adolescence, making plans for the wonderful celebration.

Then Livia got pregnant at seventeen, and not only was there no big wedding, but Livia's parents cut her off completely. Instead of a lavish affair, Livia and her boyfriend Adam had a 15-minute ceremony in the local registry office.

Livia felt cheated out of her extravagant shindig, and by the time she was twenty, started making plans for a big bash on her fortieth birthday. Livia saved up money, little by little, and - over the years - made plans for the festivities: food, drinks, decorations, clothing, guests, and so on.

Now Livia's fortieth birthday has arrived, and the party is a go.

In their private lives Livia and her husband Adam are happily married after a rough start. They have two grown children: 22-year-old Josh, who's in digital marketing, and 19-year-old Marnie, who's studying in Hong Kong. Unfortunately Marnie has finals and can't get back for her mom's party, but promises to visit when the semester ends.

Adam - who feels guilty about his immature behavior early in the marriage - is totally on board with his wife's celebration. Adam helps with the preparations, buys Livia a lovely gift, and even plans a HUGE surprise for the evening of the wingding.

As things turn out, both Adam and Livia are harboring BIG secrets on the day of the party, secrets that might derail the festivities. Thus, the spouses are determined to stay mum until the celebration ends. Adam wants Livia to have the party of her dreams, and Livia wants to enjoy this last blowout with her best friends....one of whom has multiple sclerosis.

The narrative unfolds in one-hour-increments on the day of the party, in the alternating voices of Livia and Adam. Livia spends the afternoon at a spa with her friends, then tries to enjoy the evening. And Adam frets all through the day and night.

The premise of the book is intriguing, but I have several problems with the plot.

⦿ Outside of a novel, I don't think people would behave like Livia and Adam. In real life, people would spill the beans pretty quickly.

⦿ Whenever Adam or Livia is about to disclose something important, they're distracted by someone or something. This seems like the dramatic version of a comedy farce.

⦿ The details about the protagonists' minute to minute activities gets a bit tedious.

That said, I'm in the minority, and many people loved this book. So you might want to give it a try if the premise interests you.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author (B.A. Paris), and the publisher (St. Martin's Press) for a copy of the book.

This was a well written story about a sad family dilemma clearly showing the perspective of all of the those involved. Difficult decisions were well reasoned and put the reader in the position of wondering what would I do in that situation? Another great book by BA Paris and one to recommend to others!