"The Dilemma" will hook you and not let you go; you will want to finish the book in one sitting. Livia has been planning her fortieth birthday party for twenty years, wanting a big party to make up for the big wedding she never had. However, her excitement on the day of the party is tempered by the secret she has been hiding regarding her daughter, Marnie; a secret that will tear apart her family and their closest friendships. Livia wants to tell her husband, Adam, but cannot figure out how to tell him because of the ramifications of the secret. Keeping the secret has already affected her interactions with some of their friends. Livia plans to wait until after the party to break the news.

Adam has his own secret regarding Marnie, who is currently studying in Hong Kong, far from their London home, and Livia's 40th birthday party. However, on the day of the party there is a plane crash in Cairo killing all passengers; the plane that Marnie was supposed to be on. Her flight from Hong Kong had been delayed, so there is a possibility she was not on the flight, but Adam's attempts to contact Marnie are unsuccessful. Adam, hoping for a miracle and not wanting to accept what he knows is true, delays calling the airline's emergency line to determine if Marnie was on the flight. He also decides to avoid telling anyone, including Livia, until after the party, giving her this night of happiness before their world comes crashing down. However, keeping this secret, especially not knowing for sure, is difficult for Adam, affecting his behavior before and during the party. The party itself brings its share of surprises, some more positive than others, adding to the stress that Livia and Adam are feeling from keeping their respective secrets.

The author does a great job at portraying the internal turmoil that Livia and Adam are feeling, especially Adam, and how it colors their interactions with each other, family and friends. While most of the book focuses on the events the day and night of the party, there are also sections that discuss the history of Livia and Adam's marriage, the dysfunctional relationship between Adam and their son Josh, the development and nature of Adam and Livia's closest friendships, as well as the events that resulted in Livia learning Marnie's secret. The dilemmas that Livia and Adam face are difficult ones; I am not sure what I would do if I faced their dilemmas regarding one of my children.

I received a copy of the e-book from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

This was a great suspenseful read. The author builds up the story about the culminating event, the party that has been planned for years. The husband and the wife each have a secret about their daughter they are trying to hide. Great read!

Quite a departure from BA Paris's first few books, and readers should know what they're in for -- not a psychological thriller but a slow-burn family drama, with one main question driving the story: the dilemma. Paris is masterful at drawing vivid characters and sketching out a plot where you think you know what is happening, only to flip things on their heads halfway through. A domestic drama that packs an emotional punch.

This book was not a pleasant reading experience at all. I hate, hate giving one star ratings, but this book deserves it. The reason why? NOTHING HAPPENS. I spent the whole book waiting for a twist or a flip of some kind and was left sorely disappointed. Trust me when I say, as a seasoned book dragon, to give this one a miss.

This book had the capacity to be more interesting but I did love it anyway. I thought all of the dilemma's you encountered were fairly interwoven and I think this book has the perfect title. The ending was simply "blah" but overall it was a fairly decent read that I enjoyed.

I really wish I could say I loved this one but sadly I cannot. I don’t normally have a problem with unlikable characters but I just couldn’t get past these main characters. Who puts so much time and energy into planning and paying for such an extravagant 40th birthday party? For yourself? No one I know. It was so unbelievable and the plot wasn’t much better. I had hoped for so much more from this author.

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is a full length, stand-alone book.
Meet Livia, Adam, Josh and Marnie. Livia is about to celebrate her 40tieth birthday with her husband Adam and her children Marnie and Josh when tragedy strikes and changes everything for the family. Nothing is anymore as it was.
The Dilemma is an emotional, gritty and raw story. An unputdownable pgeturner that had me glued to the pages.
I connected easily with the characters and could feel all their emotions in the wirds. The writing is great and the storyline put me through the emotional wringer , and I loved it. 4,5 Stars.

Goodreads Review:

This book appeared on my Netgalley page as one frequently requested, and having already and enjoyed another by B A Paris I decided to read it. I thank the publishers for allowing me to read it and give an unbiased review.

Other reviewers have given a good overview of the plot: in summary a woman's (Liv's) long-awaited 40th birthday party. The story is set in a 24-hour period which covers the immediate preparations for the party and the events of the night itself. The story is written in alternating chapters from Adam's (the husband's) and Liv's perspectives which, though occasionally irritating in books it worked fairly well in this novel, the third major character being their daughter, Marnie, whose life in Hong Kong is the catalyst for the events (and secrets) of the novel.

This book is tagged as a psychological thriller which is misleading: there is some suspense about when Adam is going to tell Liv the unfortunate news that he has, but it drags along a little and this is in no way a psychological thriller. I admit felt a bit like yelling “just get on with it” more than once! Liv also has a “secret” which, much like the party, she has blown out of all proportion, thus I was expecting there to be a another, larger secret which just didn’t eventuate. I read the book expecting, nay hoping, that there would be some sort of sophisticated twist or a surprising denouement but disappointingly the end was just.... meh.

So whilst the book itself was quite a page turner in parts I was, somehow, expecting that all was going to not quite be what it seemed and fully hoping that there would be one of those OMG moments where the plot twist is so clever that the book becomes a satisfying read. Alas, I was slightly disappointed. None of the characters were particularly likeable - perhaps that was the whole point though - and whilst some events from the past were alluded to there were I felt some holes in what would have rounded out the characters, particularly Adam and the early years of his marriage to Liv though admittedly this might have derailed the narrative further. I got to the end feeling perhaps something was missing and feeling I'd been a little short-changed.

The Dilemma is a great story. I thoroughly enjoyed it as we were kept wondering how things were going to go. Livia and Adam are interesting characters, both trying to do right by the other. Complications arise, and that's all I can say without spoiling the read.It's how those complications are resolved that makes the story so interesting. The author constantly teases the reader on whether a character will reveal a secret, only to have some complication arise, only to arise again...and again! Perhaps a little too much teasing there. All in all, though, readers will be pleased with B.A. Paris' latest offering.
Thanks, NetGalley, and the publisher, for the ARC.

It is 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 will be there but her daughter Margie who is studying abroad. Livia is glad because of a secret about her daughter that will destroy their family. She wants to tell Adam after the party. Meanwhile Adam has a surprise for Livia but before the party he learns something terrible. How far would you go to give a loved one a few hours of happiness? That is the dilemma.

The story takes place over the period of one day with alternating points of view. There were parts where you had to suspend belief but over all an entertaining read.

I’d like to begin by saying that this is nothing like a typical B.A. Paris thriller which was what I was (of course) expecting. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it because I did. It was more of a family drama. The dilemma. A couple each with their own dilemma on how to tell their spouse some horrible news. When to tell them. How to tell them. And how their decisions will impact their family & friends. And their relationship. It takes place in the span of 24 intense hours going back & forth between Adam & Livia’s accounts of how things are going & how they’re each dealing with their own dilemma. I really enjoyed it but If you’re expecting a thriller/mystery then don’t bother.

Wow, I do not even know where to really start with this review. I have read BA Paris before and have really loved her work. With that being said i emailed the publisher to get a copy of The Dilemma since I was so excited she was releasing a new book. This has to be one of the biggest let downs of all time. This book has no plot twists, you find out what happens right in the beginning, and frankly I would not even call this a thriller. It's a story being told where nothing really ever happens. I am absolutely shocked that this book was so bad. The characters had absolutely zero personality, there was absolutely nothing to the plot, and things that were added to be shocking were not even a big part of the plot, just added in for something to happen in the story. This was a huge let down and I do not recommend you read this book.

Narrated in alternating chapters between a husband and wife, Adam and Livia, this book certainly makes you think about what you would do in their position. It helped to have an insight into each of their thoughts and decisions. The story revolves around Livia's fortieth birthday celebration, the things they keep from each other, and the consequences of their decisions.

I couldn't fathom Livia's obsession with a huge celebration for her 40th to make up for the wedding she never got to have. Why not a vow renewal for their 25th anniversary instead or anything that would involve both of them? Considering that, and the secrets she kept from Adam, primarily to ensure her party goes as planned, she came across as quite self-centered. Adam on the other hand, was facing the painful dilemma of having to break some tragic news about their daughter on Livia's much awaited big day. While some may question his decision and it's certainly hard to understand, I can see why he struggles with the decision. There was a chance that their daughter might be okay and he would ruin this event for nothing. Should he keep the news from her and let her experience what she always dreamed of, before her world falls apart like his was beginning to? Had his wife not been so fixated with the party, it would have been easier for him to share the news. I could relate to Adam and his inner conflict.

Though some of Livia's actions and decisions seemed ridiculous to me, I liked the pace of the book and thought it was a well written story with a unique take on secrets, intentions, consequences and grief. A 3.5 for me.

This is a different type of book than others by B A Paris. I've enjoyed several of her books but, this one is a tear jerker!
Livia has a deep secret that she is planning on telling her husband Adam after her 40th birthday party. All while Adam has a secret of his own to tell her after the party as well. The secrets and this family have been through a lot and lots definitely a emotional rollercoaster of a read!
This is a very dramatic storyline, heart wrenching but very good. Definitely recommend and worth the read you will not be disappointed!

It's Livia's 40th birthday and she's having the party of a lifetime to make up for the wedding she never had. Everyone she loves will be there except her daughter Marnie, who's studying abroad. But although Livia loves Marnie, she's secretly glad she won't be at the party. She needs to tell Adam something about their daughter but she's waiting until the party is over so they can have this last happy time together.

Adam wants everything to be perfect for Livia so he's secretly arranged for Marnie to come home and surprise her on her birthday. During the day, he hears some terrible news. He needs to tell Livia, because how can the party go on? But she's so happy, so excited - and the guests are about to arrive.

The Dilemma - how far would you go to give someone you love a last few hours of happiness?

3 stars

I've always enjoyed B.A. Paris works before, and this one was definitely different than her usual page-turning thrillers. Although the premise of secrets and miscommunication works well to shape the story, it took a long time to get there. The Dilemma has a psychological tone that I have not seen much from other thriller writers where you want to get to the climax of the story sooner and keep the pages turning.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

This was an interesting presention of what not to do when unpleasant events happen. Livia and Adam married without the blessing of Livia's parents because she was pregnant. For Livia's 40th birthday, she plans the party she wished she could have had for her wedding to Adam. Selfishly, her world centers around her, and this party is all she can think about and she expects it to make her happy. She has a secret she is keeping from Adam which devastates her and she knows their life will change when she reveals it to him. But NOT until the party is over. Adam is doing everything he can to make the party perfect knowing how important it is to Livia. On the day of the party he has heart breaking news but does not feel he can spoil Livia's party. As in any relationship, communication is key and that is not happening between Livia and Adam. I though there was a little too much drama and too much telling of the same events. It still made me want to finish the book and see how they dealt with each disaster.

Learn to Share

A married couple’s explosive secrets blackmails their relationship and threatens all that they have built over the past twenty-three years.

On the day of her fortieth birthday party, a lavish catered event that she has been planning for years, Livia is overcome with excitement but her day is overshadowed by a disturbing secret that involves her nineteen year-old daughter Marnie.

Livia’s husband Adam hasn’t always been there for his wife and family but he has turned his life around and seems on solid ground. He and Marnie have cooked up a surprise for Livia, one she will never forget. As Adam is picking up Livia’s gift, he learns some horrific news that may directly affect his family in the most profound of ways.

Adam makes a fateful decision not to share what he has learned with his wife and son Josh. He allows the party to go on as planned in the hopes that everything will work out as expected. As the day wears on and the party is underway, Adam has to work harder to hold on to his resolve. As the unthinkable begins to take form, he realizes his error in holding an unfathomable secret for as long as he has but also fears the repercussions. He holds off even longer. When he finally confronts Livia with what he himself has not been able to fully face, she mistakenly thinks he has found out her secret. As the two confide simultaneously, the realization hits each of them that one bad secret yields to another far worse.

Livia and Adam will frustrate the hell out of you as they dance around one another holding onto information that they have no business keeping to themselves. Most of the book is comprised of back and forth chapters where each of them lives in their own private thought bubble. Married long enough to know better, this couple comes off as immature and their lack of adequate communication skills should be a warning to all couples on what to avoid. It is however, a fast and entertaining read in spite of the protagonists’ flaws.

BRB Rating: Read It.

This was not what I expected. I'm sorry to say I found this boring and sad. Who's life revolves around one birthday party? Didn't like the main characters at all. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. B.A. Paris never lets me down. I can always count on her for a juicy twisty book. This one is all about dilemmas- appropriately titled. Definitely recommend.