Having read most of Ms. Paris's previous books, I was looking forward to this new edition. Unfortunately, I didn't like anything about this one. There was no suspense, no mystery, and no action throughout most of the book. A married couple take in a friend having marital troubles. That's the entire plot. Someone dies but who-dun-it? By this point, I didn't care about the characters and I really had to push myself to even finish the book. A slightly interesting twist wasn't enough to save this one.

The Guest was my first book by B.A. Paris and wont be my last! I highly enjoyed the short chapters, even though there are a lot of them but they all lead up to one crazy, intense twist I did not see coming! The author will have you questioning every possibility of whodunnit from every angle and aspect, and even one of the main characters will list out quite a few possible scenarios, but just when you think you have it figured out, another alibi or explanation comes out, but what is the real truth and story is the question. The ones you think you can trust the most are sometimes not who they seem.
There are not many characters, but the book is filled with several different intriguing storylines. Sometimes it is a little difficult to stay on track of who belongs in which couple and even includes one big love rectangle, but it all comes together eventually and is just absolutely mind blowing! I highly recommend this as a fun read and look forward to checking out other books by this author.

This was one weird and creepy book. When Iris and Gabriel return home from a trip, they discover that their friend Laure has left her husband and and taken up residence in their house. What starts off as a stay of just a few days turns into a longer and longer period of time. Not only that, Laure's story keeps changing and just doesn’t add up. Of course Iris and Gabriel start digging around and asking questions. There were a lot of twists and turns in this one, mostly at the very end.

With many twists and turns this book kept my attention right until the end! It was written in a quick and active manner. The characters were relatable. There was a short lull in the middle but other than that it moved along. A great, quick read.

Thank you NetGaley and St Martins press for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I love all of Paris’ books. I loved the premise for this one— old friends who are so comfortable with each other they can just show up and stay with the other. But what about when issues arise in one of the marriages? Are you forced to take sides? You will never guess where this story is headed and it’s a wild ride getting there. A great story that help my interest.

All of her books have been incredible so far. Always tons of twists and turns as always. I never expect anything less from this author! An auto-buy author since Behind Closed Doors! Chefs kiss! I have already purchased a physical copy!

I received "The Guest" by B.A. Paris as an ARC from NetGalley, and as someone who has read every book by this author, I was excited to dive into this latest thriller. The novel did not disappoint, delivering a gripping and suspenseful story that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story centers on Iris and Gabriel Pelly, a married couple living in the quiet British countryside. Their lives are turned upside down when they return from a vacation to find their old friend, Laure, waiting for them in their home. Laure has left her husband, Pierre, after discovering he fathered a child with another woman. What starts as a temporary stay quickly becomes an extended and intrusive visit, with Laure overstepping boundaries and creating tension in the household. As secrets from the past resurface and new tensions emerge, Iris and Gabriel's marriage faces severe tests. The arrival of new neighbors, Esme and Hugh, and their mysterious gardener, Joseph, adds further complications, leading to a web of secrets and betrayals that unravel in unexpected ways. The novel is set in the serene and picturesque British countryside, which contrasts sharply with the growing tension and unease within Iris and Gabriel's home. The setting plays a crucial role in creating an atmosphere of isolation and suspense, as the couple's once peaceful sanctuary becomes a pressure cooker of secrets and lies. The character development in "The Guest" is one of its strong points. Iris is portrayed as a compassionate yet somewhat passive character, struggling to balance her desire to help Laure with her growing resentment towards her friend's invasive behavior. Gabriel, a doctor dealing with intense inner turmoil, becomes increasingly withdrawn and emotionally distant, adding strain to their marriage. Laure, the catalyst for much of the tension, is a complex character whose erratic and manipulative behavior keeps readers guessing about her true motives. The supporting characters, including the new neighbors Esme and Hugh, and the enigmatic gardener Joseph, add depth and intrigue to the story. Overall, "The Guest" is a well-crafted psychological thriller that explores themes of trust, betrayal, and the fragility of human relationships. B.A. Paris once again delivers a compelling read that fans of her work will thoroughly enjoy. #netgalley #theguest

I normally love B.A. Paris' books but this one was eh for me. The characters were all unlikeable and annoying throughout the whole book. The only one that was semi ok was the daughter and that's because she's never around. The story felt repetitive at parts, over-bearing, and just had too much for too long that was unnecessary. The only redeeming quality was the epilogue which made me rethink my lower rating, but overall the book was slow. Will still read more by this author, but definitely wouldn't recommend folks start with this one by Paris.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. And thank you to @macmillan.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

A Surprising and Delightful Read

The Guest is a charming and unexpected novel that captivated me from start to finish. Initially, the abundance of characters might feel overwhelming, but as the story progresses, the connections between them become clearer.

The dynamic between Laure, Iris, and Gabriel is intriguing, as their lives intertwine in unexpected ways. While Laure's prolonged stay might seem excessive, it provides an opportunity for character growth and unexpected revelations.

The author skillfully balances the emotional depth of the characters' personal struggles with lighter, more humorous moments. The surprise ending adds a delightful twist to the narrative, leaving readers satisfied and intrigued.

The audiobook narration by Emily Joyce is exceptional. Her distinct voices for each character brought the story to life, making it an immersive listening experience. Her performance significantly enhanced the enjoyment of the book.

Overall, The Guest is a well-crafted novel that offers a heartwarming and thought-provoking reading experience.

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #theguest #baparis

This book had me utterly captivated from start to finish! The tension is palpable from the moment Iris and Gabriel return home to find their friend Laure in their house. Laure's unpredictable behavior creates an atmosphere of suspense that had me on the edge of my seat. Her actions—sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, and rearranging furniture—build a creeping sense of unease that intensifies with every chapter.

Laure's dramatic exit from her marriage, spurred by the revelation of her husband's affair and secret child, adds a deep, emotional layer to the story. Iris and Gabriel's struggle to support their friend, while dealing with the strain her presence puts on their own lives, is portrayed with raw authenticity.

The introduction of a new couple in town and their mysterious gardener with a checkered past adds another intriguing dimension to the plot. As secrets from everyone's pasts begin to unravel, the story twists and turns in unexpected ways, keeping me guessing until the very end.

The author skillfully weaves together these complex characters and their intertwined fates, making for a deeply engaging and thrilling read. The emotional depth, combined with the edge-of-your-seat suspense, makes this book an absolute must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller.

I highly recommend this book. It's a gripping tale of deception, betrayal, and the dark secrets that can lie hidden in even the closest relationships. This is one thriller that you won't be able to put down!

I thought I had this book pegged and I was so wrong!! This book threw me for a loop and my mind is still reeling. The Guest is slow-burn psychological thriller that makes you question how well you know the people around you and how far you’d go to protect the people you love.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest feedback.

Gabriel and Iris come home from vacation to their best friend Laure staying at their home. She's just found out that her husband Pierre (their other best friend) cheated and has a secret child because of the one night stand. They're confused about the whole situation, but she is clearly distraught and needs some time away from her husband so they let her stay.

Her time at their home would put anyone into an early grave. She is there for months on end, taking up all of their time, money, and energy. It got so insane at several points I had to put the book down because ... just no. Nobody would let anyone treat them like that in their own home.

Laure, surprising to no one, ends up dead. Then the couple finds out that her husband has been found dead as well. Everyone initially thinks Laure killed him for his infidelity, but a list of suspects quickly begins to form. People who have reasons to want both of them killed off.

The Guest is a domestic drama with a little bit of mystery sprinkled in. The majority of the book was the annoying trio at their house driving each other (and me) crazy. The ending did surprise me, so I gave it 3 stars. Would I read it again? Definitely not. I feel like every BA Paris book I read follows the exact same formula?? I don't know, I was just so bored!

I've read multiple past books by Paris, and this one was in the middle - not as good as the first of hers I've read, and not as bad as the second or third. A solid thriller with good twists; this one gets 4 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley..

"Secrets, secrets are no fun, unless you share them with everyone."

This book - wow. There were so many twists and turns that when it was over, I was wondering how I missed some clues.

Gabriel and Iris return from a holiday break to find someone is in their house. When they yell out, a close friend appears at the top of the stairs. She has left her husband and crashed at their place. Since both couples swap houses from time to time, this was not a huge shock. However, Laure is not the greatest house guest and starts to outstay her welcome. To help her try to reconcile with her husband, Pierre, they try to contact him, to no avail.

Gabriel and Iris also become friends with a new couple in town. As they become closer, Laure appears jealous and worms her way into the situation. As the five of them intertwine, weird things start to happen, and then come the deaths. Who is the killer? You will be surprised.

While I'm typically a fan of B. A. Paris's work, known for her gripping pacing and intricate mysteries, this novel left me somewhat disappointed. The plot centers on Iris and Gabriel, a married couple whose peaceful life is upended by the arrival of their intrusive friend Lauren and Gabriel’s haunting encounter with a young man’s tragic final words. While the storyline offers plenty of suspense, I found it challenging to connect with the characters, particularly Lauren, whose overbearing and boundary-pushing presence felt exaggerated and frustrating. The story introduces multiple subplots and characters, including new neighbors with their own secrets, which felt cluttered and detracted from the main narrative. Despite a slow start, the short, punchy chapters and a well-executed ending kept me invested, and the final twists were rewarding. Overall, while this wasn’t my favorite of Paris’s novels, the writing remained engaging, and I'm still looking forward to her next book. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

Just like other B.A Paris books, The Guest pulled me in and kept me guessing. Full of twists and mystery, this book was unputdownable!

B.A. Paris does a really good job of building suspense. Readers who enjoy unreliable narrators will find much to appreciate here. Reading the novel, one is never sure whom to trust as Gabriel, Joseph, Laure, Esme, Pierre, and Iris all seem to have things to hide. Beth and Hugh seem to be the only completely guileless characters. So there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the action moving. I did very much enjoy the pace of the book, the setting, and the atmosphere. The characters did use the word "gosh" more than necessary. It's words on a page; fillers like that aren't needed and they are a distraction.

What detracted from my enjoyment of the book was the underlying theme that choosing not to have children is depressing and something that everyone regrets. It is not and the story would have been just fine without that. The other negative is the author's anti-choice rhetoric. Just stop it. Don't use otherwise unputdownable fiction to preach at readers about your thoughts on reproductive rights. And if you're going to do that, then maybe move into Christian fiction and let those of us who want to read suspense not be beaten over the head with it. Without the moralizing, I would have given the book 4 stars at least.

While many books in the thriller genre seem to have devolved into a contest of who can come up with the biggest twists, the real artists lead readers into the trap of thinking they're reading something straightforward. Great book, great reminder to be careful about giving out your housekey.

Another twisty, consuming tale by Paris. I almost always love their work and devour the story within days. This was was no exception. The mystery built up and the result was shocking.
Another hit! Can't wait for the next