4 stars

This book is quite different from the B.A. Paris books, but in a good way. This is not a heart stopping psychological thriller with a mind blowing twist at the end.

Instead, what you have is basically a domestic drama that slowly unfolds and pieces of the puzzle start coming together about halfway through. The story is told in alternating viewpoints between Livia and Adam, each with a secret to tell the other, hence The Dilemma. The entire story takes place over the course of one day, with flashbacks scattered throughout.

I definitely enjoyed the “Livia” viewpoints much more than the “Adam”. I really just wanted to throttle Adam for pretty much the entire book. He was so infuriating; I couldn’t believe that he was not telling Livia his secret. It’s not a spoiler to say that the secret he kept is a hundred times more monumental than the one Livia was keeping and one that should have never been kept to begin with.

I really enjoyed this book and was glad to see Paris successfully pull off a different story from her usual genre. I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for my copy of this book via NetGalley

I enjoyed the book, and the alternating narration between husband and wife, along with following along with the secrets they were keeping from each other. This was a pulse-quickening read, however, I was expecting a bit more of a twist with the ending.

This is a story about secrets, most of it tucked into a 24-hour period. Both Adam and Livia have a secret they keep from each other, each promising themselves to tell their marriage partner the truth while dreading the moment.

I struggled with the category “Domestic Thriller” though that was probably my fault. Somewhere near the end of the novel I looked up the definition and while this story fits within the industry’s definition, my personal feelings about the story was that it was more suspenseful than a thriller. Author B.A. Paris alternates between Adam and Livia telling the tale of Livia’s fortieth birthday party. While I am not a huge fan of first person present tense and was initially put off by its use, I came to understand that this story would not have worked without the author using this form to tell the story.

Livia has knowledge of an affair and learning of it will deeply affect Adam. Adam has arranged for their daughter Marnie to show up at the party but she has not shown and Adam, while suspecting the worst, doesn’t want to say anything to Marnie and spoil the party she has planned for years. While the two secrets are the main elements in Adam’s and Livia’s thoughts, there are other relationships that are part of this book, each coloring the narrative and creating many shades and nuances that keep the story interesting.

I was drawn to read this story as I thought it was a thriller similar to the author’s other books. I kept reading even after I discovered my error because it was extremely well-written even though I struggled with the idea that a woman could focus on having a large birthday party to make up for a wedding she never had. Overall, while not one of my favorite B.A. Paris books, it is a quick and satisfying read that is sure to engage those who enjoy reading deep characterizations as demonstrated through words and thoughts. Four stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a complimentary electronic copy of this title.

I have to admit this book was not up there for me. I wanted to just slap one of main characters as he laments throughout 70% of the book on what to do. The story is ok but takes place in 24 hours which is another aspect of the book I didn’t care for. On the plus side, if those two things above don’t bother you, the writing is good and the story flows well. #netgalley #stmartinspress #baparis

The majority of this book takes places on the day of Livia's 40th birthday. Throughout the course of this book both Livia and her husband are both concealing a secret. Each secret is different and each person doesn't know how to tell the other.

When I first read a synopsis of this book and saw who the author was, I was eager to read this. However, after reading this book I was a bit disappointed. This is not a thriller and is more of a slow family drama. The book was very well written and the chapters alternate between the two main characters, Livia and Adam. Each chapter breaks down their thought process to the minutest of details. I think that is why I did not enjoy the book as much as I wanted because it seemed like every single thought/emotion was analyzed.

Wow, what a disappointment in a book. I've read the first two of B.A. Paris' books and enjoyed those as thrillers but this was NOT a thriller as it was marketed. It was family drama that kept dragging on and on and on....and on. I didn't feel that there was very much intrigue building but it took a whole book for the secrets to finally come out (to the main characters) and half to 3/4s for the reader to find out what the secrets were. These were not just any little secret but major life changing secrets.

I kept reading and hanging on hoping the ending would go another way, but it didn't.

I am a huge fan of BA Paris. This story line was very heartwrenching as the tragedy played out.
The suspense elemnent was not as intense as some other books., The emotional journey the family went through was easy to relate to.. The reader was totally immersed in the family drama. Looking forward to more from BA Paris!

When is the right time to share a secret with a loved one? A secret that will ruin their happiness and change their life forever? Livia has been planning her 40th birthday celebration for decades, the perfect party to make up for the fact that she never had a wedding celebration. Happily married to Adam, they have two children 23 year old Marnie and 19 year old Josh. As events transpire on he day of the party, both Livia and Adam are keeping secrets concerning Marnie from one another. As the hours pass leading up to and during the party, the novel shifts between Livia's and Adam's points of view while the reader is on tenterhooks waiting for the secrets to be revealed. Psychological suspense at its finest, this is one you will not want to put down!

Well...this is not my usual type of read, but on other occasions when I have strayed from horror I have been able to count on a good twisty family drama from B. A. Paris. I have enjoyed her previous 3 novels more than this one. The story takes place over preparations for 40th birthday party, the party itself, and it's aftermath. It seemed maddeningly slow paced, and although I did enjoy probably the first third of the book I begin to wish they would just get on with it. It seemed to drag on for too long. A slow drawn out reveal can sometimes increase the suspense but when drawn out too long can just lead to boredom. It seemed to drag even after the climax instead of just coming to an end.

This book made me feel many things, but for most of the book I just felt mad. I was mad with Adam and the choices he was making. I kept on reading because I needed to know if the worst was the worst so I finished. Eventually my mad turned to sad, the sad didn’t really go away. I wish there was a little bit more closure. I liked that the structure of the book and that it was quick to read. Overall, I would recommend it and I will read other novels by this author.

This is such an intricate enthralling read, very similar to the premise of “The Gift of the Magi”. Adam and Livia had to rush their wedding plans due to an unexpected pregnancy, which created their beautiful daughter Marnie. Livia always said she was going to throw a huge party for her 40th birthday to compensate for the missed wedding plans. They also have a dear and loving son (my favorite of all the characters in the book), named Josh.
The entire story takes place on the day of the party. It’s written from two perspectives: Adam and Livia. The flashbacks and memories of each establish the foundation that ultimately leads up to this day.
The author, B.A. Paris, does such a beautiful job creating her characters, their strengths, flaws, and how all these intricate details come together on the day of the party. This is a very emotional read; something that caught my interest and never let go. I wasn’t expecting the ending, and that bumps this book way up my list of favorites. I thoroughly enjoy this author’s writing style. “Bring Me Back” was as spellbinding, and I anxiously look forward to more by B.A.Paris.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for making it available.)

I was a bit disappointed with this book because I went into this novel thinking it would be a thriller. Instead, it is a family drama, played out over basically one day. There was too much back and forth between the main characters, a married couple named Livia and Adam. Livia is throwing herself a huge 40th birthday party, something she's dreamed about doing for herself for years because she and Adam got married young (against her parent's wishes) while Livia was pregnant with their first child.

Lots of drama ensues, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. I normally love family dramas, but this one didn't work for me. The two narratives between Adam and Livia were a bit repetitive and the secrets they were both keeping about their daughter, Marnie, were just too much to bear for me. There is definitely an element of suspense and secrets and I did find this book compulsively readable even though I knew what the conclusion would be.

#Netgalley #netgalleyreview #arc #baparis #thedilemma this author is quickly becoming one of my new favorites. A woman who never got the wedding of her dreams has dreamed of having the most spectacular blow out of a 40th birthday party. But as event after event keep unfolding her dream party is quickly turning in to a nightmare. As the drama quickly unfolds between husband and wife. Wife. And friends. Their grown children. You won't be able to put this one down ❤️ #booksofinstagram #bookreader #bookreview #bookstagram #drama #fortiethbirthday #marriage #children

THE DILEMMA left me sooo conflicted 😢⁣⁣
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⁣⁣To those who have this on their list: this is NOT a thriller!! This was so different from anything BA Paris has ever written before (ummm hello, the twisted domestic thriller that is BEHIND CLOSED DOORS?! 🙌🏼) and I went into this blind and it really messed with my expectations. I hope my review helps you go in differently so that you’re not left disappointed.⁣⁣
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This book is all about Livia’s 40th birthday party. Left without her dream wedding thanks to an unexpected child and issues with her parents, Livia promised herself a spectacular, huge party for her 40th. That was kind of childish to me, but hey, I love birthdays too so i’ll go with it.⁣⁣
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Desperate to make it the most perfect day, her husband plans 2-3 surprises. When one of them goes incredibly wrong, he’s left with a huge secret that he either keeps to himself and hopes it works out, or spills the beans and ruins everything.⁣⁣
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This is a family drama. It’s sad, it’s different, and again—not a thriller! It follows a family struck by tragedy and how differently people handle situations and secrets. I just kept thinking “this whole book could have been over in 30 pages if the husband and wife just TALKED to one another!!” Because of that, I was left frustrated.⁣
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Although it was a quick read, it was reaaaaally drawn out. I felt like there should have been another plot or conflict mixed in there to help “get through” the middle because the main conflict wasn’t enough to keep me entertained. This is such a bummer for me because y’all know how much I love my girl BA Paris!⁣⁣
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Thank you to St. Martin's for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Drama, drama, drama!

Livia is turning the big 4-0 and is planning the bash of her dreams but husband Adam has a secret that will turn their world upside down. Does he tell his wife and risk ruining what she has been saving and planning for years or wait, knowing when she learns the truth she may hate him forever?

With the sheer amount of secrets and "Do I tell or do I not?" scenarios in this book, The Dilemma is appropriately titled. There are definitely many dilemmas going on in this family! Enough that it makes me wonder how they can hold it together.

I sympathized with Adam a lot while reading this book. Do I think he was perfect? Absolutely not. Did he make the right decision? It's a tough call. I think he is the type of character who has his heart in a good place, most of the time anyway. I feel that he was put in a very difficult position and did what he thought was right even knowing that it might not be the best decision. What bothered me about Adam, was how differential he was to his children. I'm not sure if that was a character trait the author put in to make him out to be a more disliked person or if the point was to showcase just how far he was being pushed, given the situation.

Livia, on the other hand, actually ruined this book for me. Everything about her drove me insane and I found that I wanted to get past her POV's as quickly as possible. While her reasoning for wanting to throw the perfect birthday party for herself was understandable, I got it the first time. Restating it in some form in almost every chapter was completely unnecessary and more than a little irritating. I was constantly finding her so self-centered and obsessive through the entire book that I completely understood where Adam was coming from and why he chose to do what he did. I'd second guess ruining her day too.

The sheer amount of secrets, lies and drama that unfold in the short period of time kept me interested in The Dilemma but the characters and constant repetition of facts grated on my nerves and made the whole experience less enjoyable for me.

The Dilemma was my first book by B.A. Paris and I'm really glad this was my introduction because the author does come very highly recommended and I'm hoping that with the bar set at a very medium level, future reads will blow me away!

I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my own, honest opinions.

I am a HUGE B.A Paris fan! Her writing always manages to draw me in, hold my attention and have me wanting to read her books in one sitting. I went into The Dilemma completely blind, didn't read the synopsis ... soooo, before I say anything else - in my opinion this isn't a thriller. I feel had I gone into the book expecting that it would have ruined it for me. Is it twisty? Absolutely! But that's all in the dilemma or shall I say "dilemmas" ...

This book was a wild ride! The alternating chapters between Adam and his wife Livia are brilliant. The back and forth had my full attention and I found myself guessing - and being wrong - several times. It's well written with a unique premise. I would definitely recommend!

Huge thank you to St. Martins Press & Netgalley for my review copy!

Best book of 2020 that I have read!! It was heartwarming, heartbreaking, gut wrenching, forgiving, and even suspenseful! I couldn’t put it down! It is truly a must read!

This was a very good book. It read a little differently for me than other books of BA Paris. I enjoyed the deep friendships, the character development, the twists and turns, and the reconciliation of Livia and her mother. There was a lot going on in this book but do well written that I had no problem following the story.

Typical Paris but also out of the norm because there is less domestic suspense and more family drama. Take a little comedy of errors, add in a lot of O. Henry and you've got The Dilemma. Another winner for Paris but I really don't get the title. I think there were several other ways that the dilemma could be misconstrued. The 24-hour timeline back and forth between the two main characters was perfect for building drama. However as is usual in these books it was difficult to like some of the main characters.

I love this author. As soon as I saw this book, I knew it would be good. So, while I would say I enjoyed previous books by this author much more than this one, I still liked the story. Iffy on the plot; A fast read to take your mind off the present.

I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.