I was thinking this book would be more domestic thriller as the other books I’ve read by B.A. Paris have been from that genre. This book was more domestic drama with secrets and lies.

It all takes place on Livia’s 40th birthday. She’s planned a huge party to make up for the huge wedding and reception she never had. She’s keeping a secret from her husband, Adam. Adam is keeping a secret from her. It’s actually quite frustrating, and I was annoyed with the characters for not just telling each other the truth. Somehow, I still kept turning the page to see how it played out so I’d say it’s a quick read. It was good, just different from what I expected out of this author. I enjoyed the writing style and was a page-turner, but I was expecting more of a thriller. Recommended to those that enjoy a good fast-paced family drama.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book.

B. A. Paris is an author that I have enjoyed in the past, so I looked forward to reading The Dilemma.

The whole story takes place around a 40th birthday party of Livia. Livia has been planning this party for 20 years. It’s the party to make up for the wedding she never had.

Her husband, Adam, has a surprise for Livia, he’s managed to arrange for their daughter to make it home from Hong Kong to surprise Livia at the party.

None of it goes as planned. Both Livia and Adam face a dilemma during this party, they both have something they need to tell the other person, but neither wants to during the party.

You spend most of the novel inside the minds of Livia and Adam, as they alternate each chapter. Their thoughts constantly filling the pages of the book.

The thing is I didn’t really like any of the characters, just a few of the minor friend characters seemed like they weren’t hiding something. Usually when I don’t like the main characters, I don’t like the book, but in this case, I kept reading to see how each character was eventually going to tell their secret and learn the other’s secret.

All in all a good read, especially if you like getting inside the head of the characters.

I received an ARC of the book.

St. Martin's Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of The Dilemma. I voluntarily chose to review this novel and my opinion is freely given.

Livia has been planning her 40th birthday party for years, as it is meant to replace the dream wedding that never took place. Her husband Adam has planned a spectacular surprise, but what happens when reality literally comes crashing down? Everyone has secrets that threaten the success of the party: Adam has a secret to reveal, their son has something he needs to say, their daughter has been hiding something that has the power to destroy the happy family, and Livia needs to tell her husband the truth.

Written from the perspectives of Adam and Livia, the story becomes a convoluted mess. As the author traverses time periods and different viewpoints, the main plot gets lost. The core of the novel is the fact that secrets can destroy whole lives. Both Adam and Livia face a dilemma and neither choose wisely, in my opinion. Parts of the story were quite compelling, though a bit transparent. Overall, I liked the book, but would have liked it more had the plot been tightened up.

While this didn't have the thrilling feel of some of B.A. Paris' other work, The Dilemma kept me hooked throughout the whole novel. The back and forth between the husband's and wife's chapters as they struggled with the secret they each held was perfect!

I’m a really big fan of B.A. Paris and look forward to every new book released. And once again, I was impressed with The Dilemma. The writing was excellent, as usual. The storyline was unique and very intriguing. This book was kind of an emotional roller coaster at times. The author encompasses many life changing events inside the cover and there’s definitely not a single dull moment.

For those of you who have already picked up a book by B.A. and liked it, I’m sure this will be a great choice. And if you’re new to this author, I still recommend it. It was a great book!

I love B. A. Paris but I feel that this was her worst book. I guess I didn't like the ending and the whole not talking to each other concept which unfortunately happens in many families.

I received a digital copy of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I absolutely devoured this family suspense/drama. Some of B.A. Paris' books have been hit or miss for me but I loved this one. It happens over the course of the day. The day of Livia's 40th birthday party that she has dreamed of forever. Both her and her husband have something to tell each other and put off till after the party causing lots of drama and wondering if the other knows yet. It is a story of a family that will be torn apart by the secrets that are revealed but find a way to move past it and make the most of a terrible situation.

I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good family drama!

I love B.A. Paris’ books, so I was thrilled to get an Advanced Reading Copy of this new one, but it didn’t hit right for me. It felt like a short story stretched out into novel form, sometimes into maddeningly frustrating slowness.

It’s Livia’s 40th birthday, and she's throwing herself the grandest party ever to make up for the wedding she never had. Her husband and adult son will be there and plan to surprise her with the arrival of their daughter too. But Livia wishes for nothing more than her daughter to stay away, thanks to a secret she's recently learned. When her husband Adam discovers something devastating of his own, there are dilemmas left and right-what, when, and whom to tell, and what ramifications will occur.

Normally this author's stories are heart-pounding thrillers, and this is more like a family drama over the course of 24 hours. Don't go in expecting your usual Paris novel, and you may enjoy it.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC and the opportunity to give an honest review!

Compelling. Suspenseful. Thought-provoking. Mysterious.

B.A. Paris, the queen of suspense, returns with her latest highly anticipated thriller, THE DILEMMA. She has a smart way of exploring marriages and familial relationships which go beyond the surface.

In, THE DILEMMA everyone is keeping HUGE secrets, and everyone is protecting someone or something. A perfect and fitting name for the tough choices of each character. Domestic meets heart-pounding suspense, showcasing the deadly consequences of family secrets.

THE DILEMMA takes place mainly within the time of one day. Starting from the day before on Saturday to Sunday, the day of the party, and then one year later.

A slow-burning spellbinding tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat as the secrets are unraveled.

Written from the POV of two characters: Adam (husband) and Livia (wife). Intergenerational relationships play a significant role in the novel. Mothers and fathers, sons, and daughters. During this unfolding, the events and timing are critical to the storyline. They also parallel with what the characters are feeling and experiencing.

Who doesn’t love an outdoor party?

When there are hidden secrets involved and each family member tries to protector the other, the intensity builds to an explosive ending.

Adam (husband) is giving his (wife) Livia a grand 40th birthday party. She never had the grand wedding she always wanted, so he is planning this grand outdoor magical event in their backyard of Windsor England. He is quite enthusiastic, inviting hundreds of guests. He wants everything to be perfect and pays attention to the details.

Plans are in motion. Invitations are sent. Emotions are running high. There is tension and expectations.

He also has a grand surprise for his wife. He has made plans for their (daughter) Marnie, studying in Hong Kong to be in attendance. Josh (son) also has his duties for the event preparation with playlist and music, etc. However, Marnie has her own secrets.

Livia has hers. We know that Livia is hiding something that has to do with her daughter, but she wants to wait until after the big event to discuss with her husband. It is news that will be shattering. She wants to spare him, as long as she can.

No one is communicating with the other, trying to protect the other. By not being forthcoming, this causes even more problems, and there will be guilt and disastrous consequences awaiting. You can sense the outcome will be significant.

Readers will be glued to the pages to discover all the secrets.

Paris is such a brilliant writer and withholds just enough information to keep you hooked. There is an array of emotions. From the excitement of a party, having friends and family present, to the planning and the expectations. It also turns to fear, grief, guilt, secrets, shame, lies, betrayal, and heartbreak.

As always, the author dives deep into the minds and emotions of her characters, delivering an emotional story of family, love, and loss. This would make for an ideal choice for book clubs or further discussions.

Crossing moral lines to tell or not to tell? Often families can be complicated and messy—and the author expertly explores these emotions.

DILEMMA: “A situation in which a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives, especially equally undesirable ones.”

I have read all her books, and this one is another winner. (cover love). Highly recommend for fans of Mary Kubica and Lisa Jewell.

Check out my fascinating Elevator Ride with the author and get the behind the scenes exclusives and more about this talented author.

#JDCMustReadBooks

A special thank you to #St Martins Press and #NetGalley for an advanced reading copy.

3.5 stars! This book was so different from the other books I’ve read by this author- it felt much more like a Liane Moriarty novel. I really enjoyed the storyline, but I found it hard to get around Livia’s obsession with her 40th birthday party. It was... a lot. I also had trouble keeping up with all the male characters. It felt like they all had 3-4 letter, one syllable names which made it hard to remember who was who.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book.

B.A Paris does it again and I am so happy I read this thriller when I did. The pages captivated me from the first word and held on until the end. Paris has a way of writing the characters that makes them imperfectly perfect and I love that. The plot twists and intrigue kept me turning page after page and the plot twist at the end I didn't see coming. Now, I am a not a strictly thriller reader, so my expectations are mediocre, but I do believe that I thought it was well written and thought out. Highly recommend.

I've really enjoyed some of Paris' past works, but this one just didn't have the same urgency. Maybe I've read too many thrillers at this point, but I was almost bored while reading this, which is definitely not what I'm looking for when I pick up a book like this. Thriller burnout is possible, so that might be what happened here. Give it a try if you've liked their previous books.

First off, I was expecting a thriller which, in my opinion, this is not. I think it is best described as a family drama. The basic plot really drew me in and kept me turning pages. Unfortunately, I also did a lot of skimming. It was so drawn out - somewhat like the 6.5 hour 40th birthday party which provided the back drop for the story. Both interesting and confusing, the author emphasized the loving relationship between the two main characters which was at odds with the secrets and lack of communication during their times of crises.

Bottom line is that I both liked and disliked <i>The Dilemma</i> which is reflected in my three star rating.


FYI - I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I normally like books by B.A. Paris but this one fell flat for me. The entire premise seemed unrealistic and forced. I didn’t like Livia and her 20 year obsession with her 40th birthday didn’t help my impression. And would two teenagers really stay married for 23 years after such a rocky start?

The other difficult aspect of this style of writing is there would be a memory recited about an event as a precursor of sorts, but then it is addressed immediately in the narration. I understand the need for a backstory but there wasn’t any nuance to the storytelling.

Overall a 3.5

If there is one thing I hate, it’s conflict because people DO NOT COMMUNICATE. The whole premise of this story relies on this trope. I will say that this was fast paced enough to blow through in about a day, but the overall enjoyment factor wasn’t there for me. I did not appreciate the ending. Unfortunately this just lacked originality for my personal tastes. Such a let down because I really enjoyed Behind Closed Doors by this author. Content warnings: cheating, parental neglect, suicide, plane crash, loss of a loved one.

I was not able to download this before the publication date. I look forward to reading a print copy. My stars are based on others’ reviews.

BA Paris is always very hit or miss for me, and this one was very miss. This wasn't a psychological thriller like I was expecting, so I was always prepared for some shocker that never came. Very slow domestic drama.

I love B.A Paris - this novel is different from the other books that I have read by her. I still enjoyed the novel - but not what i expected at all. This is a story about a family - Livia and her husband Adam. Livia has been planning her 40th birthday for 20 years - to replace the wedding that she never had. Their daughter Marine is planning to surprise her mother by returning from studying overseas. Adam is aware of Marnie's surprise but heres news about a plan crash - the plane that Marnie was suppose to be on. Adam struggles on when and how to tell Livia - and the uncertainty of whether Marine was aboard that plane.. The birthday continues and goes on - with the missing surprise for Livia.

Oh boy, this was just not good.

It’s essentially a book where you observe a husband and wife not communicating with each other for 80% of it then finally talking, then being angry at each other for not talking sooner.

There’s no emotional impact because the characters are just awful and vapid and nonsensical. You just want to shake them and say, “After 20 years of marriage, you still haven’t learned to communicate?!” It’s also just completely unrealistic for them to not have shared these secrets about their daughter, especially on Adam’s part.

There’s next to no plot, no character development, and not a single likable person in the bunch. What was the point of this?

We all keep secrets from people in our lives. Usually, they're mostly small secrets, without consequences.... Or so we think. What could happen if a small secret doesn't come out, but becomes bigger, bigger... until it has some considerable consequences? This is why the less secrets, the better in ANY relationship!

This book is incredibly hard to put down. I was biting my nails, putting myself in Livia and Adam's place, and could only find the deepest regret that their communication wasn't better, even if it was to protect each others... Sometimes good intentions have terrible repercussions.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press or the complimentary e-copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.