In The Dilemma, we come across... a dilemma. It's Olivia's 40th birthday, a party she's been dreaming of for 23 years. To replace the beautiful wedding she never received. She's sad that her birthday party will be missing one very important guest, her daughter Marnie, but she's also slightly relieved at the same time. She knows a secret about Marnie, but she can't tell her husband until later. Her husband Adam is determined to make the night absolutely perfect and has planned the best surprise of all. Then, something terrible happens, and Adam is stuck with the decision of whether to ruin the party or give Livia one last hurrah before ruining her life.

I own all of BA Paris's other books, but have only read her first, Behind Closed Doors. This one, while still well written, was very different from that latter. I did not expect a family drama, but just as I was compelled to finish Behind Closed Doors, I felt the same compulsion to find out what happened in The Dilemma.

I can't say I enjoyed any of the cast of characters, each was awful in his or her own way, aside from some of the minor characters. But, it was a thought provoking premise and I can't say what I'd do in the same situation.

4/5
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

B.A. Paris weaves a great story with so many secrets. It seems that everyone is hiding something. Not as much of a psychological thriller as a family drama, but an excellent read.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this advanced copy of "The Dilemma". I was disappointed with this book, I feel like the suspense was over the top and ultimately left me wanting more.

Secrets, lies and lots of angst and tension! Paris does it again with this intricate family drama. Events unfold leading up to a fortieth birthday party. This story is hearbreaking, yet full of love. I felt and understood the characters - their motives and actions and feelings are disclosed splendidly by Paris. I was engrossed with the plot and the details fell into place piece by piece.

The story was told alternately by Livia and Adam so that you get both points of view and the thoughts behind their actions. The book is aptly named and there is certainly a dilemma or two. It shows how good intentions can backfire.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.
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Right from the very beginning straight through the end, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I had to know what would happen next!
I loved the first person perspective from both Livia and from Adam. The Dilemma is by far B. A. Paris’ best book to date.
I felt every emotion possible and I felt all of the emotions right along with both protagonists as well as their family and friends. Everything was so beautifully written.
I don’t want to give any spoilers but I will definitely say that I highly recommend The Dilemma. It’s one of the best books I’ve read!

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in advance. It is my pleasure to give a very well-deserved 5 stars!

I’m thinking that the main character of this book is “The Party.” Livia is throwing herself a big 40th birthday party to make up for the big wedding she never got to have. I found it sad that both she and her husband are still nursing the old wounds of the unexpected pregnancy and shotgun wedding that set their lives on another course.

At any rate, the events leading up to the party have caused Livia and her husband, Adam to keep some big secrets from each other so as not to ruin The Party. Livia knows there is something bothering Adam, but he puts her off claiming it’s just a migraine.

They make it through the night and as soon as the guests leave, things start to implode. I won’t go into the details so as not to spoil the story, but trust me, it’s some heavy stuff.
There are no happy endings here and this is not a feel good story.

This story would make for great discussion for book clubs and has some serious topics concerning making the right decisions and which secrets are the kind that need to be kept and which secrets need to be told and to whom.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

Never mind that it gets in the way of all the other things I need to be doing - it's always a treat to find a book you just can't put down. I started this one late in the evening - but even after just a few chapters I was hooked enough to want to keep going. The next day, I raced through it straight to the end (well, okay, I stopped long enough to chow down a slice when the pizza my husband ordered for dinner arrived, but that's only because I didn't want to get grease marks on my Kindle).

Just as the title suggests, the plot involves a dilemma. So, too, does writing a review; there's not much that can be said without giving away secrets that are unveiled as the story moves along. Essentially, it's about married couple Livia and Adam, parents of grown, but still living at home, children Marnie and Josh. They got married years ago when Livia got pregnant and have stayed together despite the fact that her parents disowned her and didn't give her the lavish wedding they'd promised. Since then, Livia has dreamed - make that obsessed - about having a 40th birthday party to compensate for the dream wedding she never got. Adam and Josh are helping make sure no detail (or expense) is spared, while Marnie is sending email and FaceTime encouragement from her education-related stay in Hong Kong.

But of course, nothing is quite as it seems. Livia has learned something awful that she hasn't told Adam about - but plans to do so after her big party. Adam, too, has an awful secret - one that he, too, must share with Livia. He agonizes over when to break the news, knowing that doing it now will spoil what is to be the biggest day of her life. Chapters switch between the perspectives of Adam and Livia, as both learn new more about their "secrets" and then waffle between whether 'tis better to tell or not to tell.

The waffling, I must say, is what nearly lost me. I've got a thing for characters who are on the paranoid side and constantly second-guess themselves and everyone around them (put another way, they drive me bonkers). These two, who fluctuate between selfish and selfless, came close to crossing the line; but to the author's writing credit, their back-and-forths ended up making me read faster instead of my usual throwing in the towel. Same with melodrama - no shortage of it here, but the way it is written more often than not makes it far more riveting than off-putting.

Nothing left to say, then, except thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Dilemma
B.A. Paris
Fiction
Nancy
5

Livia and Adam never had the kind of wedding Livia had dreamed about, the one she and her mother had spent Livia’s growing up years talking about and planning, the one her parents angrily denied her as they shut her out of their lives when she announced that she was pregnant. In spite of their rushed marriage and the undeniably rocky start to their marriage, Liv and Adam have built a solid relationship as they’ve raised Marnie and Josh and created a life together. The missing memory of Liv’s life, though, is the wedding she didn’t have, so for twenty years, she has put aside money every month to pay for a fortieth birthday celebration lavish enough to rival the most gorgeous wedding. Now the day is here, and this evening everyone she loves will be with her, everyone, that is, except Marnie, who is studying abroad. Marnie’s absence is probably for the best, though, since Liv has been carrying a secret about her daughter that she hasn’t found a way to share with Adam, one that she knows will break his heart.

Adam has almost as much emotional weight vested in this party as Liv does, and has worked tirelessly to make it as perfect as Liv deserves: he has (he hopes) even found a way to bring Marnie home for the celebration. He knows the timing of the flights is tricky, but if everything works perfectly, Marnie should be home toward the end of the evening, in time to surprise Liv. Adam knows that nothing could make Liv happier.

While Liv is with her best friends for the spa day they’ve secretly arranged, Adam plans to finish making the backyard into the fairy land Liv has imagined, and run into town for the ring he designed and had made, hoping to hear from Marnie that she’s made her connection. Instead, as he checks his phone for messages, Adam’s eye is caught by the breaking news of a plane crash at the airport Marnie should be. Knowing that the crash will delay Marnie’s flight, Adam’s hopes for a reunion are dashed, but as the day goes on and the party begins with no word from his daughter, Adam’s terror starts to build. Surely, surely his beloved Marnie hadn’t been on the doomed plane?

The suspense as Adam and Liv each try to hide their fears from the other is crushing; The Dilemma will grab you and not let go.

Review by: Nancy
www.nancysbooknook.com

The Dilemma


Immensely Satisfying with a Atmosphere Full of Tension and Angst.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
It’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and her husband Adam is throwing her the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will be there, except her daughter Marnie, who’s studying abroad. But Livia is secretly glad Marnie won’t be there. She is very mad at her.

Livia has recently uncovered a secret about their daughter which, if revealed, will shake the foundation of their family to its core. She needs to tell Adam, but she’s waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.

Adam, meanwhile, has his own surprise for Livia: he’s arranged for Marnie to secretly fly back for the party. But before Marnie arrives, Adam hears some terrible news. Now he too is faced with a dilemma: Does he share what he's learned with his wife? Is hiding the truth for a little while the same as telling a lie? And how far are Adam and Livia willing to go to protect the ones they love—and give each other a last few hours of happiness?


REVIEW
THE DILEMMA is a thought-provoking and moving family drama. The story is busting with gut wrenching emotion. It’s a fast moving and a very quick read. The two main characters, Livia and Adam are skillfully constructed and their dialog sets the tone. The story alternates between Livia and Adam’s perspective and this alternating point of view really works fabulously for this book.

Author B. A. PARIS’s descriptive writing really bring out the angst of this poignant story. It’s impossible not to get caught up in the lies and secrets of THE DILEMMA. If you are looking for a great book club pick this thought-provoking story would lead to some great discussions. It an expertly delivered portrait of a family in crisis.

PARIS grew up in England but has spent most of her adult life in France. She is the author of Bring Me Back (2018) The Breakdown (2017) and Behind Closed Doors (2016). Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published June 30, 2020
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

On the day of her much anticipated 40th birthday party, Livia's husband finds out their daughter's plane has crashed. Since he is not absolutely sure if she was on the plane or not, he hesitates to spoil the party for his wife by worrying her. Meanwhile, Livia is also withholding information from her husband--hence: the dilemma!

I found the book melodramatic, repetitive and really not enough of a story to base a whole book on. Waste of time!

This book was a bit of a stray from the author's usual thrillers. I would categorize it as more of a family drama. Most of the story takes place in the course of one day, making for a pretty quick read. Though for the most part well written, I found myself constantly frustrated by the characters. A series of miscommunications and secrets causes chaos and distress within the family that all just seemed unnecessary. The heartbreaking, though expected, ending never redeemed this one for me.

I’ve like all of Paris’ other books, but this one didn’t work for me. First, it’s a family drama, not a thriller that you may be expecting. Second, the characters were horribly self- centered. Liv only cares about her party and Adam really should have told his secret much earlier. There were entire pages that I skimmed (and didn’t miss anything) because it was so repetitive about their “dilemma”. It was rather quite boring and I had to sludge through it.

This book was exceptional in so many ways. The Dilemma follows Livia as she is about to celebrate her 40th birthday party with everyone she loves except her daughter Marnie as she is away. However, Livia's love Adam has a surprise for Livia and has secretly asked Marnie to be at her mom's birthday party. Livia doesnt know any of this and is glad her daughter won't be there because she wants to enjoy her few last hours with Adam before she tells him something he won't like and will possibly ruin their relationship for good.. little does she know Marnie is there and so sets the party.

This book was a thrill read from start to finish. I just couldn't put it down! I loved every minute of it and I'm so glad I got the chance to read it.

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Adam and Livia have a huge party to throw. Livia is turning 40, and her daughter is coming home from Hong Kong to celebrate. But Adam knows something Livia doesn't. To go any further would be a spoiler. And as it turns out, Livia has a secret of her own. Both Adam and Livia have choices to make. Do they tell the other about the secrets they have? Or do they saunter on with the party, and hope that this is the last evening of joy? That's what happens in The Dilemma.

I think this book falls under the "thriller"category, but I didn't see it as that. It seemed almost realistic, and maybe more of a "soft thriller". In any case, I loved it. For anyone out there who has had to make a choice as to tell a secret or not. Or keep something buried deep within you, this book might resonate.

I almost found myself not wanting the book to end. And I actually didn't guess the ending like I thought I had. Normally, I don't try to, but with The Dilemma? Dang, I really wanted to know.

The Dilemma publishes 6.30.2020. If I were you, I'd buy it immediately.

5/5 Stars

This might be my favorite B.A. Paris book! The suspense was so different from what I was expecting. I hated it and loved it!

Livia and Adam are both facing dilemmas and the book is basically an hour by hour break down of a pivotal day in their lives. I was on the edge of my emotional seat and couldn’t put this book down. I was so invested and felt like I was right there with them, desperate for answers. I felt like I needed to know what was happening just as much as they did. Tensions were so high and Paris made my heart drop into my stomach again and again. This book was the biggest emotional roller coaster I’ve been on all year. I’m trying to be as vague as possible with my review because I truly believe this one is best to go into blind. But clear your schedule before picking it up because once you start reading you won’t want to stop!

There are some things in this book that could be bothersome to some readers. I myself felt my anxiety crank up while reading. In this case the content warnings could possibly be seen as spoilers, but I have them written down so if you’re curious send me a DM and I’ll send you the list ♡

Loved this book. Not quite what I expected but a very interesting book. To tell a secret or not, what would you do?

I read this ARC for an honest review
All thoughts and opinions are mine

I absolutely love this author and have been very lucky to have read their books

Loved this
Doesn't disappoint

Loved the characters
the story draws you in so quickly and got invested almost immediately

highly recommend

This is the story of a family. A family that appears to be normal on the outside to others, but inside, each person has their own agendas. A truly messed up family to say the least!!! Father and son who were never close, a mother jealous of her own daughter's relationship with her father. Then a tragic thing happens on Liv's (the mother) big 40th birthday. Things will never be the same and there are lives to be considered in The Dilemma. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from Net Galley.

Maybe if I knew this was a family drama as opposed to a mystery/thriller, I would of gone in with different expectations.

The novel is about a husband and a wife that are each keeping a secret from one another. Each secret will change their lives, but they don't want to tell each other. Why don't they want to tell each other? Because the wife has spent the last 20 years obsessing about her 40th birthday party, which is going to make up for the dream wedding she never got to have. It was crazy how much they obsessed about this party.

By the time the novel got to the big party, I was ready to be done with the novel. I hate it when characters don't talk to each other and you have chapters and chapters of them either avoiding one another or changing the conversation and pretending that everything is fine, when clearly it is not. And one of the secrets was devastating, but of course the husband didn't want to ruin the birthday party.

Disappointed since I really loved Behind Closed Doors|29437949.

Thank you to Netgallery and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Dilemma is an interesting and heart breaking family drama that unfolds at a slower pace than fans of B.A. Paris may be used to. I enjoyed book’s realistic and in depth examinations of marriage, friendship, and parenthood . Occasionally the lack of communication between characters was slightly frustrating, although maybe not unrealistic for some couples. This story definitely has some tear-jerker moments, so keep your tissues at the ready!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this copy of The Dilemma in exchange for my honest review.