B. A. Paris has never, never disappointed. In fact, she seems to always keep her readers glued to her novels by their riveting story lines and well flushed out characters. Although The Dilemma is a departure from her usual gripping and suspenseful thrillers, she masterfully creates a provocative family drama that is full of deception, guilt, regret, and most of all... secrets. Told in alternating perspectives between the wife and the husband, the novel elegantly portrays the challenges of making a marriage work, keeping your partner happy, and keeping your children safe. Overall, a powerful read is sometimes painful, but immensely satisfying.

Loved this book! I found the story to be very original and told in a very interesting way. I would not call it a thriller, so fans of Paris looking for that should be aware it is more of a family drama. It took me a little bit to get into this because I went into to expecting a thriller but I am glad I powered through as it becomes so interesting mid way through. I would totally see this as a TV Show!

WOW. I'm a big fan of B.A. Paris and have read all of her books. This one really hit me hard. I'm at a loss for words, really. This is beautifully written and had me tearing up for the entire back half (this is not typical of me).

Although you know what is going to happen (not because you're good at guessing but because Paris wants you to), it makes this story even more heart wrenching. What a ride! This will easily be my most recommended book in 2020.

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!

This book was not what I was expecting of BA Paris. Usually her books have me going WTF!? I kept waiting and waiting for the big twist/surprise and I feel like it never came. It was interesting enough to keep me reading but a lot of stuff was so drawn out it felt repetitive.

Livia has been planning her fortieth birthday bash for the last 20 years. She has been saving money so it will be the biggest and best birthday ever. Livia was pregnant with Josh when she married Adam and her parents refused to attend or to give Livia the wedding of her dreams. Adam has some surprises for Livia, he invited her parents and arranged for their daughter to return from Hong Kong for the party. Livia has a surprise of her own for Adam and both are keeping a secret from each other with unimaginable consequences.


Told in the alternating voices of Adam and Livia, Paris once again is the queen of suspense. Once started, you will not want to do anything else until you finish this book. I read it in two days and can't stop thinking about it. Both of the main characters are likeable, but at times, you will find yourself talking to them. No spoilers here, but what would I have done? Both Livia and Adam took a risk for the right reasons, however, their decisions could have gone horribly wrong. I have read her other best-selling books and The Dilemma does not disappoint.

We've always known B.A. Paris has a knack for writing secrecy-based psychological thrillers and continues to prove it in The Dilemma! Adam and Livia have been together for more than twenty years and have two adult children; Marnie, the Daddy's girl, and Josh, who's closer to mom. Since Livia and her parents are estranged, she and Adam have been lifelines for each other throughout their marriage, but something has shifted in the past few months; little do each of them realize they each share a secret with Marnie that they haven't shared with one another. This entire book takes place in less than forty-eight hours, but as we learn, life-altering moments can happen in an instant. How will this test Adam and Livia's relationship with one another? Will the secrets come out? Paris truly excels at pinpointing how grief and secrets affects people.

What would you do if you had *potentially* life changing, earth shattering news that would ruin someone's happy moment? 

This is exactly what Adam struggles with the entire length of this book. His wife, Livia, has waited years for this moment-her extravagant fortieth birthday party. She's excited and radiant, so when Adam discovers something that has the potential to ruin her day and upend their lives, what should he do?

Livia, while excited for her special day, is also wrestling with something she knows will shatter their picture perfect family when it comes to light. I was SO irritated with Livia almost the entire book. If she would just SHUT UP for a second and let Adam speak for crying out loud!

By keeping these secrets from each other, are they protecting one another or just being selfish? This book was completely different from the author's other novels. I was expecting a thriller, but this one was an emotionally charged family drama. It's about grief, relationships, secrets, and healing. Although I was irritated with Livia the majority of the book, I still enjoyed reading this one. It draws you in, kicks your heart up into your throat until you think you won't be able to breathe until you find out how each other will solve their separate dilemmas.

It's Livia's 40th birthday, and she is throwing an elaborate party to celebrate. She has dreamed of this day for years. The food, the decorations, her dress, her friends having an amazing time, and of course, her husband Adam and their two children, Marnie and Josh will be there. Livia always pictured her daughter playing an important role on her special day, but now, Livia is faced with a dilemma and Marnie shouldn't be here.

Adam knows how much this day means to Marnie. She never got to have the wedding of her dreams, but this event will make her feel like she has finally had one perfect, special day, all to herself. But Adam has a dilemma. The surprise he planned has gone horribly, maybe tragically wrong and he doesn't know what to do. Let Livia have her perfect day, or expose his secret, knowing that she might never have another?

This book was a page-turner, which in hindsight I should not have started right before bed. I stayed up way too late because I just had to know the secrets Livia and Adam were keeping. From the first chapter, it is apparent that their lives are going to change, and perhaps not in a good way. The tension just built and built as the story progressed. Love, loss, friendship, and family are woven throughout, and ultimately, we learn that there isn't a right time or place to share a secret with someone you love.
I had mixed feelings about Livia, as I never could connect with her dream of having this party. I had my wedding on a mountain with no family in attendance, so someone else might relate better to her character. Adam though, more than made up for my ambivalent feelings towards her. Adam isn't a perfect husband or father, but he truly doesn't know what he should do, and what he went through, was heartbreaking. An engaging read and B.A. Paris pulled me in yet again with some gut-wrenching dilemmas.

Be prepared to stay up all night in a constant state of dread...this book held my attention until the very end! Paris does it again!!

I have liked all books by B A Paris and this was right up there with the rest.

Livia was promised a huge wedding and her parents not only renegged on it, but threw her out and cut her off from the family. Now as she is turning 40, she plans an elaborate party to make up for that loss. Adam, her very supportive hubby, plans a surprise for her which is to have their daughter make a surprise visit home in time for the party. Sounds good so far, right?

The utter lack of communication between them, not just parents but both children as well, was infuriating at times, as I am sure it was meant to be. If only..... could be said about quite a few events that happened surrounding party time. I wanted to sit them all down and make them talk to each other instead of catastrophizing (is that even a word?) everything inside their heads. Was Adam right to keep the situation from Livia and was Livia right to keep a different, but related situation from Adam? Was it out of love or fear or both?

And yet, I really looked forward to finishing the book to know what happened, The ups and downs of the story kept me up and down, too, but overall, very glad I read it. ps reading it on a plane- not advised!
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

B.A. Paris has done it again; written another book that I couldn't put down (and I finished it in one night's reading)!

This one was interesting because, as the reader, you find yourself questioning what decision you'd make in each character's shoes and OH is it interesting how murky the waters become when faced with intriguing dilemmas.

I gave it 4 stars because there were some parts that felt a little too repetitive but, overall, I've already recommended this book to several others and it spurred me to purchase Paris last book, Bring Me Back.

Thank you for this ARC and can't wait to read any and all other things she publishes!

I’m a huge fan of BA Paris and I wanted to love this book. But unfortunately I didn’t. I liked the way it was told; back and forth, hour by hour, husband, wife. But I really didn’t like the storyline It was just upsetting without any real suspense.

I am a huge fan of BA Paris. Thanks to NetGalley I am able to read the latest suspense books that keep me up at night! If you enjoy suspense fiction that will have you looking around each and every corner read this book. Don't say I didn't warn you.

This book was a departure for B.A. Paris. Her other books have been far more mysterious.

This book had, in its own way, an awful tension. Knowing something and keeping it from your spouse can be a truly awful thing, even if you think you are doing the right thing, or to keep them from pain. Waiting for Adam to confirm Marnie's passing and then for him to tell Liv became so difficult to read. I struggled with wanting to skip ahead just to get the telling over with!

I stayed up through the night to finish this book. I enjoyed it although at times I was uncomfortable with the dilemma of the characters- The Dilemma for sure!

4/5 stars.

This book is well written. It never lost my interest, yet I just kept waiting for it to take off and it never quite did for me. I kept yelling at Livia to quit jumping to conclusions and just use your words!!! With that being said I did like the characters in this book. I enjoyed the evolution of Josh and Adam’s relationship, as well as the friendship between Livia, Kirin and Jess; and between Adam and Nelson. So, while this didn’t knock my socks off I never struggled reading it. I liked it. I just maybe wanted something else to happen. And that’s my problem really, not the author’s.

I have read other books by B.A. Paris, and was not disappointed by The Dilemma, I couldn’t put it down and I just had to get to the end, to see how it all played out. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Another great by the great B.A. Paris!! I mean, how does she do it? I don’t want to give anything away because I got a very early advanced copy from St. Martin’s Press for which I’m truly grateful. So I’ll do my best! Livia and Adam had only been dating a short while when they found out they were expecting their first child at the very young age of 17. But through the trials and tribulations they made it work and their love deepened. Adam has regrets for not being a present father in the early days and Livia’s Family disowned her. Still, they had their wedding at the registrars office with Alex’s family and their friends. They even had baby #2. Both children are very much present in the novel as you will soon see. But one of Livia’s dreams was to throw herself a lavish 40th birthday. Kind of like the wedding party she never had. And who knows, maybe after all this time, her parents will have forgiven her and come and see the family she’s created.
Unfortunately Livia and Adam’s daughter can’t be there as she’s in Hong Kong studying abroad. No matter, she’ll be home soon enough.

Which is where the Dilemma starts to take shape. If you had information your partner should hear would you wait so as to give everyone a night to remember or would you discuss it together straight away? Miscommunication and indecisiveness fuels the rest of this novel. And boy is there a lot of fuel. So much you’ll be rocketed out of atmosphere with what you may have done, who was right, who was wrong and who in the end will you side with? Or will you side with anyone?

How much will you risk for one important night?
Couldn’t put this book down. Bravo!

Definitely one of Paris’ best works! The format of the story told in multiple POV and with a short timeline provided the reader with an angst to finish the book as quickly as possible. Fantastic read by one of my favorites!

Adam and Livia, married at a young age, have spent years anticipating and preparing for tonight, a 40th birthday party for Livia. The party will be attended by friends and family, and the uninvited guests - some dark secrets that need to be shared, or do they?
This is continuing the pattern for me of liking each of B.A. Paris's books more than the one before. This book has great character development, a long developing plot line that I couldn't read fast enough, and tension for days. Anyone who has ever held back a secret or bad news, looking for the right time to share it, will relate to these characters, and feel a little bit of sympathetic anxiety. This felt so real, I couldn't convince myself these were just characters from the author's imagination.
I highly recommend this book, and give deep thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was definitely a page turner and one I couldn’t put down until the last page. While I enjoyed this fast paced book, I did find parts of it and especially the ending, very unrealistic and a little hurried. However, always a fan of BA Paris and her easy to read books.
Thanks to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.