I’m such a fan of BA Paris and even though this book is more of a family drama than her past thrillers, I was HOOKED.

The author has such a way of making you feel anxious and on the edge of you seat about what is to come.

The Dilemma is about the secrets, twists and turns that come out (and are kept) during a 40th birthday party.

There were times today where I read 50 pages in what felt like a blink of an eye- which speaks volumes of how captivating the story is.

This story is told from two different perspectives, which I enjoyed and the setting is in England which provided a nice backdrop for the story. Although they really never leave the party.

I understand that with it taking place in England and it’s an English author, there would be some differences reading it as an American, which I am used to. However the terms “revising” (which I took at studying) and “marquee” (which I took as a tent for a party) were used quite a bit and It did take a bit to figure out what we would call them in America.

It did get difficult to keep track of the characters in the end, especially when they were all being listed out. I still don’t really know who Ian was and how he was related.

If you’re looking for a fast pace drama that keeps you turning the pages- look no further!

This is the third B.A. Paris book I've read, and while it wasn't what I expected, I enjoyed it. I like her writing style and was able to get right into the story from page one. It takes place within a 24-hour period, and revolves around a husband and wife (Adam and Livia) who are each keeping a secret from the other, on the day of her 40th birthday party. I liked the fact that it was written in alternating viewpoints from both Adam and Livia and I liked the themes of strong marriage, family and friendship. For the most part I found the characters to be likable. (However, I found it a little odd that an adult woman would put so much hope and planning into a birthday party for herself.)

Once I got about two thirds of the way through I couldn't put it down. I did feel like it dragged on a little too long toward the end, as I was getting very stressed and found myself saying "Just tell her already!!!" The author did a great job of portraying the conflicting thoughts and emotions that both Adam and Livia were feeling. Overall, I thought it was a thought-provoking and emotional book, that tackles the question: How do we chose what is best for the ones we love?

This one fell flat for me. I liked the idea of the entire story taking place in one night. I also liked how it alternated perspectives between husband and wife. But the characters were boring. I didn’t hate them, but i wasn’t rooting for them either. It boiled down to a bored wife who was too invested in her daughter’s personal life, and a husband with poor communication skills. That’s about it.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of The Dilemma by B.A. Paris. I have been a fan since I first read Behind Close Doors, Bring Me Back, and The Breakdown. As an author, Paris continues simply to get better and better at her craft. However, as a genre-typed author, her books are in a similar vein to Shari Lapena and Ruth Ware, except I think Paris’ books are a level up. The Dilemma is her best one yet. It follows a 40th birthday party for Livia, planned by her husband, Adam. Their daughter, Marnie is away at school and cannot come. As the story progresses, Livia finds out some information regarding Marnie, that if discovered by anyone else, will be tragic for their family. Marnie’s spot at school allows Livia to breathe a little easier until she figures out what to do. Meanwhile Adam, as part of the party surprise arranged for Marnie to be home. Adam ends up coming across some detrimental info of his own. So what now? How far do you go to protect someone you love? Go read this. You won’t be disappointed.

Okay, I really don't know how I feel about this book. It was very readable, I read it within 24 hours, but I didn't have any characters I was really rooting for and was pretty annoyed by them most of the time (which I'm sure was the author's intent). I read 'Behind Closed Doors' by Paris and I assumed this one would be along the same genre, but I was wrong. This is more of a family drama, and a "what would you do?" book that makes you think. I liked the twists that were thrown at you over the course of the book, but was expecting a little more climactic at the end.

Overall, I didn't love it, I didn't hate it, not sure I would recommend it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This wasn’t my favorite. It was very long and dragged out. I did enjoy the time stamped alternating povs. I liked the way they aligned to continue the flow of the story without overlapping. After reading Behind Closed Doors, I was expecting a suspense/thriller. However, this book was not in that genre.

A little slow in the beginning, but then, wow! I enjoyed the development of each of the characters, and thought the book did a great job of showing the complexities that all families face.

Another great book by B A Paris! I really enjoyed this one. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy from one of my favorite authors. I don't know how much I really enjoyed this book ,but I was so angry with the husband Adam through the entire book. His reasoning made no sense to me. Not my favorite B.A. PARIS read but still love her dearly.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley. I think I thought this was going to be a psychological thriller, but it ended up being a string of secrets kept between spouses. I enjoyed it, but was waiting for the big "aha" moment...which didn't happen. Everyone just figures it all out...no surprises. Overall the book was good. It just didn't deliver the punch I was hoping for.

Oh what a dilemma! Where to begin…

Something about this book makes it addictive. It doesn’t make you feel good (because you sense something bad is going to happen), but you keep on reading. The pace is a little slow with how it reveals the story which made me anxious and caused me to skim at times. There were some good twists along the way (the FaceTime conversation and her mother’s appearance), but I was also frustrated with Adam’s character. He and Livia’s communication was a like watching a train wreck in slow motion. I’m not sure I know what to make of these characters but it was fascinating.

I love B.A. Paris’ writing, and look forward to her next book but am hoping it’s not a family drama.


Thank you to, NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Marissa Sangiacomo for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is heartwrenching. Livvy and Adam were teenage lovers who had a child together causing a rift with Livvy's parents. They muddle through a few years and then stabilize and have a second child. Their children are imperfect and the dilemma concerns a secret that each of the parents is keeping from the other and the reasons why.

The Dilemma was definitely so hard for me to put down!! A husband and wife with secrets do tell me more!! I was completely hooked! This book is different from the rest. As this one is more of a family drama than a psychological thriller. Still well written and enjoyable!

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. I really enjoyed it! Livia has been planning her 40th Birthday for quite some time-it's the party she never had. Her husband, Adam, has planned a surprise for her. Unfortunately, it goes horribly wrong. Adam and Livia both have secrets concerning their daughter Marnie-who will tell their secret first and how will it change their lives? A good read with several twists and turns!

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is a family drama about Livia and Adam, and their two children. As teenagers, circumstances led to a quick marriage with no wedding. fast forward to Livia’s fortieth birthday, it’s going to be the huge bash to make up for the wedding she never had. One important person couldn’t make the party...their youngest daughter Marnie, who is studying in Hong Kong and just can’t seem to make it work. Livia isn’t too distraught, she knows a secret, a secret Marnie has been hiding, a secret so devious once it’s out in the open, people will get hurt, especially her dad, Adam. Little does Livia know, Adam has his own secrets as well. This leads to a big dilemma, for the entire family. The reader can pretty much figure out what is going to happen, so at times it felt a little drawn out, but it doesn’t help the slow burn of the hurt you are going to feel once it’s out there. Adam wants to make sure Livia’s day is perfect in every way, so he wants to make sure nothing will change that..nothing. Until the big reveal of all the family’s secrets are exposed, it’s interesting to see how what is thought as the perfect family deals with actions by others and how those actions affects each of their lives.

The Dilemma is not the first book I have read by B.A. Paris, as a matter of fact I have read all of her books! This was much different than anything else she has ever written. I really enjoyed it, but I can’t say it’s my favorite by her. But please don’t let that deter you. The characters are likable for the most part, well, a few of them aren’t. As a mother of two kids, I would hate to have to deal with family drama like that in real life. Your heart continues to pound for each character as they try to find the right time to reveal some heavy information.

I would like to thank Netgalley, St Martin’s Press and B.A. Paris for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I highly recommend this book, as well as all others by B.A Paris!

I thought this was such a unique telling of this story, which was a nice twist on the domestic thriller. I didn't even think this was much of a thriller; it was more of a family drama filled with secrets. And she definitely brought the drama. This was a quick page-turner and I loved how it all came together at the end. Can't wait for her next book!

The Dilemma will have the reader repeatedly asking “what would I do in this situation?”. This is my first book to read by B.A. Paris. I will definitely be reading more!

Another hit by B.A. Paris! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Gripping story, wonderful characters. An absolutely immersive reading experience.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

First, I want to say I have read all of B. A. Paris’s books and loved them. With that being said, I found this book to have been a tedious read and could have been condensed in half. Also, the lack of communication between a husband and wife is crucial to any marriage and in bold letters, COMMUNICATION was lacking here and the cause of all the grief that happened. I hate giving poor reviews and was so excited when I got the ARC of her latest book and did not read any of the reviews before I read the book. But now that I finished the book and read some of the reviews I do not feel so bad. This book was so drawn out and for me a chore to read. The one redeeming factor in this book was how Livia and her husband found each other and were able to forgive each other for something that so easily could have been avoided. It was well written but disappointing. I want to thank net galley and the publisher for the ARC I received for an honest review.

Adam and Olivia are a happily married couple with grown children. This book is told from their two points of view. The story begins on the morning of Olivia’s fortieth birthday and just before her highly anticipated fortieth birthday party. The book is almost entirely about this one particular day and is told in chronological order as the day unfolds.
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I read this entire book in less than 24 hours because I absolutely could not put it down. It is intense! The build up is almost excruciating. This is not a thriller but more like an incredibly suspenseful family drama. Secrets are revealed and the aftermath will leave you in a whirlwind of emotion. This book isn’t for the light of heart.
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3.75/5 ⭐️