This book was a little bit of a surprise for me. It’s not the usual type of mystery. It was a little slow starting, but don’t give up. It’s one of the best books I’ve read. Mystery, Loss, Hope. I felt all those emotions as I read. I don’t want to give anything away in my review. Read this book it’s so worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

3.5 stars

This review contains spoilers.

Let me start by saying that I am a huge B.A. Paris fan. However-- and unfortunately-- that might have worked against her in this instance. Where the story lost stars for me is that I was expecting a twist! I kept waiting for some clever explanation for the two secrets that Livia and Adam were keeping from each other. The twist never came, which made the story all the more sad.

However, I enjoyed this story as far as a family drama goes. The characters and relationships were interesting and the story well-paced. Overall a good read, just not what I was expecting.

I think what's interesting about this story is I wasn't sure what to expect really. Throughout there were feelings that something bad had happened, or was going to happen. I think I almost expected something a bit sinister. What happened instead was a slow unravelling of a couple big secrets, and a slower dawning of a much bigger and painful revelation.

There was a little less actual action than I was hoping for, and it's hard to fill a whole book with something that lasts such a short period of time, but it was emotional and interesting.

A bit unsure about this author. Not bad, but I just not sure if this is something really worth it, there is just so many thriller out there, not bad, but there is better one.

4.5/5 stars rounded up!

Livia has been planning the 40th birthday party of her dreams and the night is finally here! The only thing missing is her daughter Marnie, who is studying abroad in Hong Kong. While the hor devours are passed along, so are all the secrets among the guests.

B.A. Paris once again holds the crown for domestic thrillers! She has an incredible talent for capturing the suspense that can build within the four walls of a home. I didn't think it would be possible to build that much suspense and drama in the time span of one day, and the setting of just one party but she sure as heck did it!

This book alternates between the viewpoints of the husband and wife. I loved the dynamic of "Watching" the party from both views but gosh I sure did hate one of them. The ending was the outcome I wanted so I forgave it but man I sure did hate that one person. (lol)

I read Behind Closed Doors when I first started to get into psychological thrillers and I really enjoyed it. I was excited to read The Breakdown, but I was a bit let down and then when I got around to Bring Me Back, I ended up being very disappointed. I have to say that I was pleased to see that in The Dilemma, while more of a character study and less of a pure psychological thriller, shows a return to the great writing that I remember from B.A. Paris's debut novel. Don't expect a super twisty read, but one that will draw you in nonetheless.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy for review.

I feel lucky that I got the chance to read and review this book. I was anxiously waiting for the release date as I am a huge fan of the author. She definitely did not disappoint with this one either. I felt for each character in a different way. Adam broke my heart and infuriated me both at the same time, and I was talking to the pager as I read, pushing him to tell his secret. It was a great read, a page turner and if you’re a fan of the author, or if you are new to the books, pick it up, you won’t be sorry.

B. A. Paris does not disappoint! Another page turner that kept me up late into the night reading! Awesome read!

Personally, I really disliked this book to the point where I did not want to finish it, but I did. I have read all of this author's previous books and enjoyed them. Unfortunately, The Dilemma was a huge miss for me. Categorizing this book as a mystery/thriller is completely false, there is no mystery or thrill. It's just a domestic drama being marketed as a thriller like B.A. Paris's previous novels. All of the main characters were unlikeable and I had a very hard time believing that a couple would hide such huge, horrible news from each other because of a woman's 40th birthday party. I might have enjoyed this book more if it had been marketed differently so I went in with a different mindset and not expecting another one of B.A Paris's knockout thriller books.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my ARC which I received in exchange for my honest review. Let me first start by saying that I absolutely love B.A. Paris! I have been enamored by the author's work from her very first release. The Dilemma is the author's fourth book and quite a departure from her earlier thrillers. The novel focuses on the drama between long time married couple Livia and Adam in the twenty-four hours surrounding Livia's 4oth birthday party. Readers learn early on that Livia has been planning this party for the better part of 20 years and considers it more of the wedding she never had than a birthday party. I wondered throughout the book why they didn't just have a vow renewal ceremony but at some point you just have to go with the idea of it..

The book is not what I would consider a thriller or mystery. There are some taunt moments but the focus is very much on family dynamics. This couple suffers from a serious lack of communication and while every decision they make is seemingly well intentioned it leads to more heartache than perhaps it would have otherwise. Like all books by this author the characters are well developed and the dialogue is solid. Grab your tissues because this book has some heart-wrenching moments. The author does a good job with the epilogue and the book ends on a hopeful note.

It is a quick read and I raced through the novel to find out what would happen to Livia, Adam and their young adult children. It was a satisfying read that was poignant and bittersweet but not the thriller I was expecting. That being said. if B.A. Paris starts writing phone books, I will read them. I eagerly await her next release!

The only person missing will be her daughter Marnie and she's glad because Livia has a secret that she's been keeping from her husband Adam until the party is over. But so is Adam. Would their secrets destroy their family?

Not sure if everyone would agree, but I felt like this book was different from B.A. Paris's previous books. It was more of a drama than a thriller. I enjoyed the book and there wasn't much of a shocker. Matter of fact, the story felt like it was dragged too long and could be wrapped up in 100 pages or less. But I think the story line progressed slowly and told through the lens of Adam and Livia to build up the tension for the finale when the secrets explode.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and author B.A. Paris for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

This book was not what I expected but I have to say that I did enjoy it. It was a family drama with many secrets. Like a train wreck, you just can’t look away.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Loved this book, a real page turned, the whole premise was amazing and the book really delivered. Have enjoyed this authors work before and this one did not disappoint.

Hmmmm what to say about this book........... This is definitely not like the other three B.A. Paris books and I guess it's you're own opinion if that's a good or bad thing. For this reader this book is definitely not one of her best. I was actually surprised by it because of how much I loved her previous thrillers. This one in my opinion is in no way a thriller and the way she wrote this book did not sit with me well. I'm definitely a little disappointed by it but hope others enjoy. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review

BA Paris is one of those authors that I will read her books even if I don't know what they are about. Although the story kept me interested, it was not at all what I expected. Her other books were thrillers with many twists and turns, but this one was more of a family drama.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC. In return they asked for an honest review. I wanted to like this book, but the premise was just ridiculous. The husband and wife have been married for over 20 years and their lack of communication with each other was unbelievable. It's hard to believe that a grown woman was so obsessed with a birthday party for herself. The husband learns something horrifying early in the day and doesn't share it with his family until after the party. I had some issues with how Marnie, the daughter, is thought about by her dad. It seemed like an infatuation more than a father/daughter relationship. SPOILER ALERT!! The wife's secret is that Marnie is having an affair with one of the husband's friends, who is like an uncle to her. That just seems so unlikely. Someone she's known since birth and is the father of her best friend? Really? I just hated everyone in this book and their lack of communication. I only kept reading to see if my hunch about the ending was right. It was. I don't want to give it away. There are other reviews that do give the ending if you want to save yourself time from this book. Like others I think this would have been a fine short story, but as a novel it was repetitive and boring.

The Dilemma is the latest story by B. A. Paris. I found myself thinking about this story while I wasn't reading it. Then there came a point where it was impossible to put down. Stayed up reading into the wee hours last night! Ms Paris gives us the story from two voices, husband and wife, and we get to see into each of their thoughts. I want to thank Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy to review.

I enjoy character driven novels and this one was that for sure. It was interesting to read about the interactions between the different characters and how each reacted to events and perceived them in different ways, I read through this pretty quickly and it held my attention well.

Another great book by B.A. Paris. This one is a little different from her previous books in the sense that there're no major twists and turns. The book format works very well for the story line, it goes hour-by-hour on one particular day of the Adam and Livia's life. I usually enjoy books that I cannot put down because I had to figure out how they will end...this one I couldn't put down because just imagining being in that situation was heart wrenching. I have to admit...I might have shed a few tears at the end. Great book, definitely one I'll be recommending.

Thanks B.A.Paris, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for the advance copy.

I loved B.A. Paris from one of her previous books and this one did not disappoint! It was true to her writing and I couldn't put it down. I love the way she weaved the characters together and kept me guessing until the end.