I have loved several of B.A. Paris's books in the past, so I was excited to read a new one. While The Guest kept my attention, the storyline fell flat for me. Iris and Gabriel's friend Laure shows up unexpectedly at their house. She says she is divorcing her husband Pierre. Gabriel is unable to make contact with Pierre to talk to him about it. Laure is acting strangely. What is the real story?

DROP THE MIC 🎤 BECAUSE B A PARIS HAS DONE IT AGAIN!

This book was absolutely incredible. It pulled me in on the very first page, and I was transported to a story much more exciting than my day to day life. The story centers around Gabriel and Iris, a married couple trying to navigate their way through a really traumatic loss. To add even more on their plate, Iris welcomes her best friend Laure to stay with them after finding out some scandalous information from her own partner. What Gabriel and Iris don’t anticipate, is Laure overstaying her welcome and bringing even more havoc to their lives.

I thought the pacing in this book was great, and that it was a solid plot. The characters were all unreliable for different reasons, but I think it played well in the story. I binged this in two sittings, and by the time I finished the epilogue, my jaw was on the ground.

I absolutely LOVED IT, and it’s definitely one of my favorite books of the year so far. I hope you guys check it out! Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. This one did not disappoint!

An expertly woven domestic drama that follows Iris and Gabriel, who, upon returning from a much-needed vacation, arrive home to find their friend, Laure, in their house. Laure has left her husband after learning of a devastating affair and a secret child, and she opts to stay with Iris and Gabriel, quickly taking over their lives.

There are many secrets and various threads that all pull tightly together, with a subtle menace brewing in the background. The mystery is interesting, although at times the characters’ mundane lives take over, down to discussions of what to wear, what they sit down to eat, having a shower, etc, which makes the pacing quite slow.

This one is different to many of the author’s other books, although is reminiscent of The Dilemma, which also begins with one premise that slowly unwinds until it’s all explained abruptly in the final chapter.

I was intrigued how all the loose threads would tie together, and the ending twist delivers, with an explosive final chapter.

Wow! Didn’t see it coming. What a thrilling ride. B.A. Paris has done it again.

I so badly wanted to give this book 5 stars but the first half was quite slow and hard to get sucked in. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and feeling totally engaged with what was going on. I feel like some elements were focused on too much and others not enough. The synopsis mentions some of Laure’s actions but the reason wasn’t really answered, and therefore left me wondering why it was mentioned at all.
As I was approaching the half way mark, though, things began to get interesting and then I was totally invested and ended up loving it. I definitely was pleasantly surprised by the twist!

I would definitely recommend this book to any one who asks as long as a slow start is not a deal breaker.

A big thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC copy of The Guest

This was a wild ride and I honestly did not predict how so many of the storylines would weave themselves together. I think my mouth was hanging open for the entire epilogue. If you love domestic drama and murder-on-murder-on-murder, this is definitely the read for you 😜

I really struggled with the slow pace of this book. I miss the usual nail biting, edge of my seat feeling that I usually get from this author. It’s slow til around the 40% mark then it picks up the pace and becomes enjoyable.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for allowing me to read this book.B.A.Paris has done it again. Just when you think you have everything figured out.... you don't and here comes the twist.
I highly recommend this book to lovers of suspense and high drama.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read this much anticipated book! I loved Behind Closed Doors so I was very excited about this one.

Iris and Gabriel (married 20 years) have an unexpected houseguest. Laure and Pierre
are their longtime friends whom they met on their honeymoon. After a falling out, Laure comes to stay with Iris and Gabriel, but will she ever go home??

This book has so much going on and is a true mystery. So many times, I was wondering how it would all add up. So many events seem unrelated but the epilogue is where it all comes together. When all the puzzle pieces lock into place, you will be stunned!

Gabrielle and Iris come home to find a guest Laure staying in their house. She is sleeping in their master bedroom, wearing Iris's clothes and leaving the house a mess. She is having trouble with her husband Pierre when he reveals he has a child from a one night stand so she leaves Paris and moves to their house. Laure is the most obnoxious house guest with over staying her welcome and rearranging the contents of the kitchen to suit her needs and just droning on and on. She made it hard to keep reading as she was just so annoying. I just really wanted to kick her to the curb after a few days and think no couple would have put up with this.

Meanwhile Gabrielle is fighting his own battles as Charlie dies and Gabrielle wasn't able to save him and has lied about his last words.

This was a slow burn.

When I tell you my jaw HIT THE FLOOR!!
If you want a book with a shocker of a twist, pick this one up.

At first, I couldn’t figure out how in the world the prologue fit with the rest of the book. However, as I went on it started making more sense.

After a two week holiday, Iris and Gabriel return to their home to find someone unexpected living there. It turns out to be one of their best friends, Laure, who is going through some marital problems. Iris and Gabriel agree to let her stay as long as she needs to get her marriage sorted. (They were thinking a few weeks at the most.) Miscommunications arise, and before they know it, Laure has been with them for two months. Trying to juggle their own marriage and bond with their new neighbors, Iris and Gabriel don’t know how to handle their houseguest.

This book has so many intertwining storylines and details that come back when you’re least expecting them. I was totally hooked and blown away!

Another domestic drama from B. A. Paris!!! I was so excited to get my hands on an ARC from NetGalley. I find that B.A. Paris is either mega hits or disastrous duds for me. Nothing in between. This novel was a…DUD. It was much too slow for my taste. I live for the drama, honeys!!! From the start, you can tell something is fishy and that these folks are lying their tails off. The questions are who and why?! It takes quite a bit of time to get to any of the “why’s”. It doesn’t make me want to turn the page. They drop a tiny teaser every 20 pages or so. If that. Not really making it a true suspense for me. If you know me, I hate superfluous details! This has too many boring, everyday life bits in it. Like I don’t give a hoot about your loud ass tea kettle?! The motives being silly and the slow pace killed it for me. Maybe next time, B.A.!

Ever since "Behind Closed Doors", I eagerly await all B.A. Paris releases - Paris is definitely a domestic thriller GOAT! The Guest, publishing in February 2024, is her newest thriller, and this time she's focusing on an all new relationship. When Iris and Gabriel return from a short trip away, they're very surprised to find a houseguest - their friend, Laure. Laure is a bit of a mess after a surprise revelation from her husband, and it seems that she's setting up residence in her friend's home...but where is her husband? Couple this with a new couple and their mysterious gardener moving in just up the road...what exactly is the guest involved in?

I appreciated this entirely new take on the domestic thriller, and the ending definitely threw me a surprise curveball! Of BA Paris' writings, I found this less atmospheric and chilling than some of her others, and I also think there were a bit too many plotlines/mysteries that made it a bit unbelievable. That being said, it was well worth the reading time, an exciting ride, and I couldn't put it down! This will make the perfect cozy winter read - you'll enjoy an escape with a fun, unique plot and plenty of intrigue to keep you occupied! BA Paris, I'm already looking forward to what you have up your sleeve next!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC; all opinions are my own.

This book had so much potential and i was absolutely loving the multiple storylines, but the ending felt so rushed and a bit lazy. I didn't connect that Iris was malicious at all - and I also didn't feel like it was particularly shocking that she revealed all in the epilogue either. It was just lacking any tension or interesting twists - and I don't consider it a twist to just have the epilogue wrap it up in a neat bow.

Another solid B.A. Paris read. I enjoyed the book but did not think it had the suspenseful pacing of her others. It was more a glimpse into the deteriorating relationship of Iris and Gabriel with the addition of their new houseguest and friend, Laure, and the story of her elongated stay. I could feel the pain of Iris and Gabriel as Laure continued to lengthen her stay--they had much more patience than I would have. There are several different intriguing plotlines--the deterioration of Iris and Gabe's relationship, Gabe's focus on his past and its trauma, Laure's own drama, developing relationships in the neighborhood, and Iris' reactions to be a observer in the drama surrounding her. Even when I was close to the end, I was puzzled by how it was going to end. I don't want to give anything away, but overall I enjoyed the read and can recommend it as a quick read with mystery, intrigue, and suspense.

I read this twisty book in about 24 hours. It was the perfect beach read.

I loved this book! There are parts of the book that read like a drana but stick with it, later you will see that it's part of the slow burn.

The last chapter reveals the final twist and made the entire book make sense.

Thanks to St Martin Press, Netgalley and the author for this ARC.

3.5 stars

Iris and Gabriel have welcomed Laure into their home after she finds out devastating news about her husband, Pierre. Pierre has fathered a child with another woman and Laure is despondent. As days drag into weeks, Iris and Gabriel begin to be annoyed by Laure and her constant presence and whining. They all make friends with a local couple and their landscaper, Joseph. As everyone begins to mix, tensions grow higher, and secrets begin to come to light. With betrayal around every corner, will anyone be able to make it out unscathed?

Having only read one other book by B.A. Paris, this one is far superior and the twists in the epilogue are good and make it a nice thriller. However, parts of this book drag on, especially the first half before the action gets started.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's for the advanced copy of this book.

I have read every single one of the BA Paris’ books, so I was extremely excited to get an advance copy of this book. Reading this book was a struggle for me. I was so bored and confused throughout the entire book as to what was really going on. I asked myself what is the point of the book? I hate to give it such a low rating but I was just extremely bored, and found the writing to be immature.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and B.A. Paris for the opportunity to read this arc!
@netgalley
@baparisauthor
@stmartinspress

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publishing date: 2/20/24

Summary:

It was super twisty with secrets galore! The characters and the plot were excellent! It’s a bit of a slow burn but I really enjoyed it! A must add to your tbr!

#read #thriller #suspense #sus #bookstagram #booknerds #booklover #bookworms #fivestarbooks #bookstagrammer #bookstack #avidreader #booksaremylife #baparis #stmartinspress #netgalley #secret

It’s national read a book day and I wanted to celebrate by posting my review for the book “The Guest” by B. A. Paris!

This book is in my top 3 for the year! Although it doesn’t publish until 2024 please be on the lookout because you HAVE to read this book! This is my first book by this author and I am already hooked and cannot wait to get my hands on more! It had me sucked in all the while I had no idea where it was going to end and when I got there I READ FOR TWENTY MINUTES straight with my mouth wide opened! My jaw had dropped! I never knew I needed this so please! You have to read it! 4.5 ⭐️ - I felt it could of been a bit longer. I wanted more!

This is the perfect lazy day read. While it’s not a gripping page turner, it’s a nice distracting read that you can pause when you need to. I was going to give this book 3 starts until the end. I didn’t see any of that coming at all. I loved the complete surprise and how looking back it made sense. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my advanced copy!