I really wanted to like this book. I thought it’d be a no brainer—I’d read the author’s last two books and enjoyed them. As I struggled through the first 50 pages, then 60...then found myself a hundred pages in and still not vested, I felt disappointed. I couldn’t believe this whole book was about basically one day—with little bits of other days sprinkled throughout. The premise—once I realized what it actually was—felt very contrived and far-fetched. I finished the book because it’s what I do, but I can’t say I enjoyed anything about it.

This author always seems to have interesting plot lines, and this book is no different. The story really made me consider what I would do in the same situation. Life is full of decisions, and it can be a true dilemma when you don't know what decision to make.
The book follows a married couple, Livia and Adam, as they prepare for a huge party/event at their home for Livia's 40th birthday. The party is something that Livia has been planning since she was around 20 years old, and she is holding out hope that everything goes perfectly; and so is Adam. They have 2 children, Josh and Marnie, and unfortunately Marnie is away studying abroad in Hong Kong and is unable to make the party; or can she. What is supposed to be a perfect night is anything but, for both Livia and Adam, as they both struggle with difficult secrets that could upend their lives; along with the decision they need to make to either tell or keep their mouths shut!

Told in the alternating voices of Adam and Livia this book is a quick read that draws you in. Livia is having her party of a lifetime, one she has saved for since her parents shut her out of their lives for becoming pregnant before marrying Adam. Each one is holding a secret from the other that will not only destroy their party, but their entire lives. This book had a beautiful flow to it which made it hard to put down.

I tried to enjoy this book but honestly it wasn't for me. I've enjoyed other books previously by this same author though.

I could not put this book down and read it in only a day and a half!! I was pulled in to the character’s feelings, worry and grief. I wanted to read faster and faster to know what would happen at the end.

I absolutely loved the writing style. Sometimes authors who alternate between characters can make it confusing but not here. I appreciated the narration of both the husband and wife. The author did an amazing job of expressing what was going on in their heads and how it led to so much confusion between them.

I appreciated that the ending was not abrupt. I think my heart would have heart if I didn’t get to see the characters in the future after the big ending.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Interesting enough -- but it wasn't exactly what I was expecting -- more family drama than thriller. But it did keep my attention for the most part.

I didn't know what to expect when I began reading B.A. Paris's new book "The Dilemma". From the previous experience I knew that an author's style and her deliciously shocking twists in the story. And I must say, I was not disappointed.

It's Livia's big day. Ever since the quick wedding she dreamed of having a big fancy party for one of the birthdays. Twenty-two years later, the dream comes thru. Close family and friends, neighbors and colleagues, are all surround the birthday girl, showering her with well-deserved attention and love. But Livia's mind is not easy. A secret, a bag of secrets she has been hiding from loved ones, the one that can hurt many families and tore their relationship apart.

And here comes another twist. Livia is not the only one that is keeping the deadly secret. Throughout the big celebration, Adam chats, and drinks, and eats, and dances, and being a perfect host at his wife's 40th birthday, but his mind is occupied by a tragic event, that is tearing him from the inside out.

The quote says: "the truth will set you free", but in Adam and Livia's case it will turn their world upside down.

A phenomenal novel, took me two days to read it. Brilliant story, shocking twists, one phenomenal rollercoaster ride. The thriller of the year! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of the book.

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

Synopsis:
Livia didn't get the wedding she always wanted so she has planned an all out party to celebrate her 40th birthday and to make up for the wedding she never had. She is excited to celebrate with all of her closest family and friends, except her daughter Marnie won't be able to make it as she is studying abroad and her finals interfere with party day. Livia discovered a secret about her daughter that will change all her family knows, but she wants to wait until after her party to share with her husband Adam to ensure they all have one more happy time together before their lives change forever. Adam, knowing how much he needs and wants Marnie at the party as well as to surprise Livia, plans a trip home for Marnie. What he can't plan for is the terrible news that he hears about his daughter hours before the party. He, not wanting to ruin Livia's big night and to give them one last night of happiness together, plans to hold on to this secret for just a little longer.

Review:
3.5/5. This was not the typical B.A. Paris book I was used to as it seemed less thriller, but more emotional. I kept waiting for a twist that shocked me to arise, but it never came. It was well written and made you feel heavily for the characters experiencing their internal dilemmas of telling their spouse their secrets or allowing for one more happy day. It causes one to think, what would you do? This is a well written book about love, emotion, and forgiveness, but if you are looking for a thriller with shocks and twists, this is not it. Prepare to feel heavily for the characters and question your internal dialogue about what you would do in these situations. This book comes out June 30,2020, pick it up if this sounds like something you would enjoy.

A domestic suspense tale that keeps you reading at a breathtaking pace.

It is the day of Olivia's fortieth birthday party that she has been planning for years. Told in alternating voices between Olivia and her husband Adam, all is not as it seems. Olivia and Adam are keeping secrets from each other and as the day goes on, these secrets slowly get peeled back one layer at a time. Just when you think you know the answer, more information comes along to change things up.

This is not just a novel of secrets but about how we protect the ones we love from being hurt at all costs, even if we know it is wrong. This is about a family with hurts and misconceptions and love for one another despite the difficulties life throws at them. It grabs you from the beginning and keeps you going until the end.

B.A. Paris knows how to write books that immediately hook the reader! I can't wait to read all of The Dilemma books for B.A. Paris and utilize these books for a future book club read!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. martin's Press, and the author for the ARC copy of The Dilemma in return for my honest review.

I have read all of B.A.Paris books. I was looking forward to reading The Dilemma but have to admit I was surprised at the different directions her writing style/subject matter was from her past books. I was expecting another thriller, but this story is more of a family/relationship drama.

This was an enjoyable read, but there is quite a bit of unnecessary repetition with the same events/subjects being repeated over and over again. The entire novel takes place in a 24 hour period of time, so I do not understand why the author felt the need to keep retelling certain details. Putting the aside, the retelling of details, I was compelled to keep turning the pages to find out what happens to all the characters.

The conclusion of the story was unpredictable and left me with reflecting on what my decision would be if I personally were faced with a similar dilemma.

I really enjoyed this book. BA Paris always has great reads so I was very happy to receive this! I got pretty frustrated with the mom & how selfish she was. Being a mom myself I could never imagine feeling the way she did towards her daughter. Other than that it was well written. I would read it again.

I unfortunately could not get into this book. I found it to be over written and I didn’t care about the characters at all. I’ve heard great things about this author so I will try some of Paris’ other books!

To tell or not to tell? That is the dilemma upon which B.A. Paris’ latest work based.

The story relays what happens to a family in a slightly more than 24-hour period. It focuses on Livia’s 40th birthday party, a day that she has obsessed over and planned for during the previous 20 years. Her husband Adam, as well as her children Marnie and Josh, are involved in trying to make Livia’s birthday the happiest day of her life. However, secrets and lies are hidden amongst them, and dark clouds prevail over the birthday preparations and the party itself.

The plot is conveyed in alternate narratives from Livia and Adam and is told in a manner that allows for flashbacks and backstory, thus giving the reader insight into Livia and Adam’s thought processes and a full picture of how and why each views the present situation as he/she does Although the book definitely focuses on secrets and lies, it is also about friendships and families — and the lengths one might go to keep a loved one from hearing disturbing truths.

I found the book to be a fast-paced, gripping and emotional roller coaster of a read. Although this solid family drama is a real page-turner, it is very different from the other books I have read from this author, which tend to be more or less psychological thrillers.

I really like B.A. Paris books, but this one was not one of them. The story takes place over a one day period and drug on and on. Maybe next time. I did not find the characters very likeable. Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. 2 Stars

WOW! This was a great read that i didn't stop reading until it was DONE!!! The tension alone kept me up half the night. Very good read!

Three stars for The Dilemma by B.A. Paris. I picked up this book hoping for a thriller, having read and really liked Behind Closed Doors by the same author. However, after reading this one, I can’t help but think about a something that another reviewer said: this is essentially a short story stretched out to a full length book that wouldn’t exist unless the couple just talked to each other.

It’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and she’s throwing a party in place of the wedding she never had. But when her husband, Adam, learns some potentially terrible news, he struggles with how to tell Livia. And, Livia is keeping her own secrets, which could change everything.

A lot of the time while reading this, I felt like I was seeing the same emotions written out over and over. And each chapter seemed like the characters had to once again walk through their decision making process, just so it was VERY CLEAR to the reader why they took each action. I kept reading because I just wanted them to get to the point.

This was an easy read that killed a day and a half in quarantine, but i wouldn’t pick it up again. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was not what I expected! It was very unlike other B.A. Paris works - usually, they are more psychological thriller with some level of violence to them. This was more of a family drama, but it was still edge of your seat! I read the entire book in one day, and couldn't wait to get to the end. It is definitely not for the faint of heart!

What another great book from B.A. Paris! I’ve read previous books from this author and really enjoyed them. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was just as good as those. I enjoyed the story and the characters were very well written.

I want to preface this review by saying that I'm a big fan of B. A. Paris' previous works.  Behind Closed Doors and Bring Me Back were gripping thrillers from cover to cover (Unfortunately, I haven't had the chance to check out The Breakdown yet).  But I think that categorizing this particular book as a "thriller" or "mystery" does it a great disservice. This is not a thriller.  The Dilemma is a suspenseful family drama. If you go into this book expecting twists and turns in the plot as you often see in mysteries, you're going to be very disappointed.  It is suspenseful, but it is not a thriller.

There are two twists in the novel, and the first is given away by the prologue. I've whined in the past about how every author these days seems to think that their novels have to have a prologue. The prologue in The Dilemma gave away the major plot development of the book, and really provided nothing of value to the story itself.

That said, this novel is incredibly suspenseful. It's clear that Livia's big birthday bash is not going to be the idyllic event that she's planned, and the stress that the main characters are enduring seems to ooze off the pages. I was sweating buckets while reading, genuinely worried about how it would all go down.  The Dilemma made me incredibly uncomfortable, yet I could not seem to put it down.

The depth of the characters is definitely the strength of this novel.  They are so detailed, with such rich backgrounds, that it feels like they could leap off the page.  I felt like I understood Livia and her motivations more than I understand my own mother (Sorry, Mom!).

BA Paris has such a phenomenal writing style that she could write about going to the bathroom and I’d hang on to her every word.  I would have liked to have known that this isn't a true thriller when I started reading, since it would have completely changed my expectations.

I recommend this book to those who enjoy a suspenseful family drama filled with secrets, lies, and uncomfortable birthday parties.

* Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc to review! *