Not what I was expecting from this author. I have enjoyed her last two books, both thrillers that I couldnt put down, page turners I would stay up late finishing just because I bad to know how it ended. This...was not that. More of a character study, kind of grim and a bit frustrating due to lack of communication between characters. I will read her next offering in hopes it’s a thriller like her previous works, but this was a miss for me.

I wasn't sure what I was getting into with this book but it looked fascinating so I had to request a copy to review.

The story takes place over 24 hours and surrounds the main female character, Livia's, 40th birthday party. This is the bash she never had and she's looking at this as a way to act as almost the wedding reception she never was able to have with her husband, Adam. The twist is that both Livia and Adam have their own secrets they are keeping from each other.. and the drama with the two of them unfolds during what is supposed to be the perfect party.

The premise is fascinating and I love that the book is told in dual point of view. It definitely made it more interesting and kept me engaged throughout as the story unfolded. I absolutely hated both main characters - they acted selfishly throughout and made everything about themselves.

I have read and enjoyed several books by B.A. Paris and this one was no different. Although the story takes place all in about the span of a day, it has so many twists and turns that just leave you wanting to know more... I could not put it down. I felt all of the emotions while reading it. I highly recommend it.

What would you do if you knew a secret that would destroy lives? Is your secret more harmful than those held by your friends? How or when would you tell? And who will pick up the pieces?

The Dilemma takes place in only a few more than 24 hours. Livia has planned and saved for her over-the-top 40th birthday party for years. It’s taking the place of the wedding she missed as a young, pregnant bride. She and her husband Adam have made it through some rough times, are financially successful and are finally empty nesters now that Joss and Marnie are at college. They’ve invited their closest friends, Rob and Jess, Nelson and Kirin, to the celebration. Both bring more than gifts. They are all hiding secrets, as are Livia and Adam. These are not ordinary secrets. Revealing those secrets will destroy individuals, relationships and marriages. But it’s hard to keep a secret, isn’t it? What’s hidden comes to light and the reactions are just what you thought they’d be.

The Dilemma is a suspense driven, well plotted, simply amazing book that will pull at all your emotions. Set time aside to read because you won’t want to be interrupted! 5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and B.A.Paris for this ARC.

In THE DILEMMA, B. A. Paris deftly and compassionately explores the stories we hold and keep to ourselves to keep family, friends, and life as we think it should be. Centered around the fortieth birthday party that the protagonist Livi has dreamed of since she was a disowned teenage bride expecting the first child she and her husband will have at the beginning of their rocky, changeable marriage. Her friends, children, and beloved husband Adam do their utmost to give her the party of her dreams, keeping to themselves the secrets and knowledge of betrayals that would shatter the peaceful life as they know it. Livi and Adam keep vital secrets from one another in the interest of preserving peace of mind, of home, and of family even though there are fractures and fissures from the past and the present that threaten their future. Taut, compelling, a grab-you-by-the-throat and never let go, extraordinary story that lays out dilemmas and their imperfect resolutions in the interest of keeping the peace. The story kept me up reading much too late -- because the writing was so good and the story so well-crafted. Wonderful, wonderful read!

Livia has been planning her 40th birthday for decades. Deprived of a proper wedding as a pregnant teenager, she unashamedly wants one day to celebrate herself. Adam, her husband, wants to help make her day special, so he plans a surprise. He flies their daughter Marnie in from Hong Kong for a quick visit. What he doesn’t know is that Livia is secretly glad Marnie won’t be there.

Before the party begins, Adam hears devastating news, and agonizes whether he should allow the party to go as planned, or ruin the event his wife has dreamed of.

THE DILEMMA wasn’t the suspense thriller I expected. Like some of the best books I’ve read, it was difficult—even painful—to read. Somehow, B. A. Paris managed to eke out a hopeful ending. While I didn’t always enjoy THE DILEMMA, I will remember it. #TheDilemma #NetGalley

3.25/5 stars

Summary: Liv planned her 40th birthday for years leading up to this night. However Marnie, her daughter, won’t be in attendance. Unbeknownst to her husband, Liv knows a secret about Marnie that leaves her happy that she won’t be in attendance. Liv plans to share Marnie’s secret with Adam after her party. Adam vows that Liv’s party will be perfect no matter what. Before the party, Adam faces a difficult choice that will upend their lives.

Thoughts: I loved the premise of this book! However, I wanted more details. Paris alluded to the early days of Liv and Adam’s marriage many times, but neglected to explain how they got from then to now. I appreciated Paris’ examination of the couple’s inner thoughts, but felt some of that space could’ve been used in other ways. I did like Paris’ writing style and dramatization of family dynamics. I flew through the book quickly, but ultimately couldn’t look past the plot holes and predictability of the book. If you’re looking for a quick family drama with minimal twists and heavy on emotion, this one's for you!

*** 4 stars ***
Expected Publication: June 30th, 2020

Livia is about to turn 40 and she wants the party of a lifetime and her husband Adam and children Marnie and Josh are helping with this. I don't want to spoil anything, but basically Adam has a HUGE thing he needs to share with Livia but he doesn't want to ruin her party. Wow, this book was infuriating to me. I honestly was so angry with the premise that I thought I was going to hate this, but I couldn't race through the pages quick enough to find out " WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO TELL HER ADAM!!!!" Then on top of it, Livia is keeping something from Adam. This story alternates between Livia and Adam's POV and is a much different type of read that other B.A. Paris novels. I wouldn't call this a thriller, it's more a complex family drama. Once everything is out and how the story comes together, I had tears in my eyes at the ending, it was really well written.

Special Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for allowing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're familiar with Paris' other works, and you're expecting a thriller, be warned, this one is a little different. Is it compulsively readable? Yes, absolutely. Definitely a page-turner--I read it in two sittings. But this story is sad. So sad. And the pages turn because you hope so much that one of these characters will make a decent decision and just be honest with one another. The story is simple. Livia and Adam married young because she got pregnant and never had a proper wedding. Since then, she's dreamed of a lavish 40th birthday party. But she has a secret she's been keeping from her husband, Adam, and soon, he has a secret that he's keeping from her. His is a good secret, but an unexpected turn of events makes it, well, iffy, that he doesn't tell her. As the party day approaches, you, the reader, get to watch this whole situation spin out of control. I enjoyed this novel a lot, and probably won't be forgetting it any time soon. My major complaint is that the characters are just so completely unlikable, and I don't think they are supposed to be. Livia is so vapid and self-centered that it makes it hard to root for her, even though I think that we're supposed to really feel for her. Overall, an interesting quick read, but too much of a total downer for me to whole-heartedly recommend.

Livia and Adam Harman are a fairly typical married couple. Although they married very young, they have managed to navigate the rocky times thus far, and have raised two children who are now in college. As Livia's long-planned fortieth birthday party is about to begin, the celebration is overshadowed by momentous events yet to be revealed. Both Livia and Adam are aware of devastating news they must share with each other--but how and when--will they divulge information that will ultimately shatter their happiness and change their lives forever.

The Dilemma, B.A. Paris's fourth novel, is as compelling and page-turning as each of her previous books, demonstrating yet again her tremendous talent in the domestic thriller genre.

You can read other reviews of books I have read on my blog, http://readwithallison.com.

The Dilemma is the newest contemporary fiction novel by B.A. Paris. See how I called it contemporary fiction instead of thriller?

Livia is excited to be celebrating her fortieth birthday with an over-the-top party meant to replace the wedding she never had. But she can't fully enjoy the day because she needs to tell her husband, Adam, something she's been hiding from him when the party is over. Livia doesn't know that Adam also has something to tell Livia after the party. What ensues is a back and forth POV between the two characters, which each chapter taking place during a different hour of the day and night of the party.

I have a real dilemma with this book because it was marketed as a mystery/thriller, but I found it far from thrilling. There really isn't a mystery either because we find out what secret each spouse is hiding from the other fairly early in the book. I thought Livia was highly unlikable because she was extremely self-centered. I actually sympathized with Adam because I don't know how I would have handled his situation.

I did like the pacing of The Dilemma because I was able to read it in less than 24 hours, but I will also admit I started skimming longer passages in the second half because the characters' inner dialogue was becoming repetitive. I didn't care about Livia's friends at the party because we didn't really have time to get to know them, so the parts with small talk at the party got pretty boring too.

Overall, I would only recommend this book if you know going in that it is not going to be a true mystery/thriller book. I would say it would make a great beach or pool read, but you may want to read the conclusion in private because you are sure to shed a few tears.

I was provided an ARC of this title by St. Martin's Press via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Many thanks to the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of this title.

The Dilemma was a good book. Not as great as B.A.Paris’ other books but was still a good read...kept me captivated & wanting to know what was going to happen next!

This was good but not the typical B.A. Paris book I was expecting. It was still written fantastically but just have some tissues ready. It was a fast read and I always enjoy that. Although, I wanted to scream at the lack of communication between the two main characters, I could appreciate how Paris was trying to capture the realism of marriage. I haven’t had a book make me cry in a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance digital copy of this book! I have a new favorite book! I’ve always enjoyed the novels Paris writes, especially Behind Closed Doors, but the Dilemma is exceptional! I love the back and forth character driven chapters and living the story from both sides. This book brought out raw emotion like no other, recently, and the fact that in the end everyone will be alright made me so happy. Strong character development and an amazing storyline makes for a highly recommended novel. 5+ stars!!

Title: The Dilemma
Author: B.A. Paris
Genre: Mystery/thriller
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I loved the cover of this book. But that’s all I loved. I found Livia to be almost completely unlikable. She is such a self-centered person and all she’s focused on is herself and her fortieth birthday party…which she knows is over the top. But she does it anyway, ignoring the little voice in the back of her head that tries to point out how selfish she’s being. I never did like her, and her attack on Adam at the end was it for me.

Adam was a much more sympathetic character, although I think him keeping Livia in the dark was a bad call. He must have been an awful person at the beginning of their marriage/parenthood, but at least he’s now aware of that and trying to change it. The writing was solid and vivid, but my dislike of Livia completely ruined this book for me.

B.A. Paris is a bestselling author. The Dilemma is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

This book was hard to put down. I felt myself sympathizing with the husband, Adam, as he agonizes whether to tell his wife some potentially bad news on the day of the huge birthday party she had planned for the past 20 years. Do you ruin her birthday, or do you allow her the opportunity to thoroughly enjoy this perfect moment she has looked forward to for so long?

B. A. Paris did an excellent job of getting inside the minds and emotions of the characters and allowing the reader to feel what they feel. The characterization was excellent and the story kept me reading as much as I had time for

Another nice thing is that the book is not filled with cursing, and even though sex is mentioned, it is lacking in the details so many authors think readers of books not marked erotica want. I'm not one of them, and I thoroughly appreciate a clean book.

I was such a fan of Behind Closed Doors. This one not so much. don't know, so much angst and bad decisions. Secrets and family drama are really not my thing apparently.

This was devastating to read. I find the previous books from BA Paris to be absolutely terrifying and this felt very different. I found myself missing the presence of a villain and I was actually a bit disappointed that this was so different than what I am used to expecting from a BA Paris book--yet it was excellently written and still swept me up, so that I read it all in an afternoon.

I couldn't wait for this novel and I must say it was well worth it as it did not disappoint B.A. Paris is quickly becoming a favorite! ... A Complete review coming shortly stay tuned.

Well, this was certainly a change of pace from what I've come to expect from B.A. Paris. If you are looking for a suspense/thriller type book, I would recommend choosing something else. However, if you do that, you will be missing out on an intense family drama. The main couple, Adam and Livia, marry very young because Livia is pregnant at 17. Both Adam and Livia are very well-drawn characters and very like able. Of course, during the alternating chapters, one for Livia and her thoughts and secrets, and then Adam and his thoughts and secrets, the story of why Livia's 40th birthday party celebration needs to perfect unfolds. I couldn't help but become engrossed in this family's life. #netgalley