They should have called this book “when you realise you don’t even like your friends so you murder them all”
Didn’t really go anywhere for most of the book… it was a slow burn I guess.
Of course I was wayyy off on the twist! Love that for us, the readers. No likeable characters but I continued to read since I love the author!

this one was a little hard for me to start, get through and finish. i feel as there were too many characters introduced at once and it just made things a little confusing. b.a. paris usually has very quick and easy thriller reads but this one sadly missed the mark. wanted to note I did not see the twist coming so that is a plus for sure. the plot itself is the strongest point. the secrets, drama, lies, murder, etc. the characters themselves were not my favorite. so if you don't mind characters annoying you, I really suggest picking this up because like I said, the plot was stellar.

thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Right off the bat, lots of people were introduced in a very short amount of time, so that was confusing trying to keep up with who was who. Despite starting off with an explosion, this starts off kinda slow and gradually builds up. Starting in present time with the explosion, the story jumps back 6 months before everything happened.

After so long Laure was annoying with every conversation being about the fall out with Pierre. The secret with Gaberiel wasn't such a huge secret in retrospect. The way he carried on, it almost came off as he was responsible for some kind of wrong doing. Why did it seem like every woman had some kind of infatuation with Joseph? Esme and Hugh also seemed off to me, and other than bringing Joseph to the village didn't really contribute to this story. Iris put up with Laure's shenanigans longer that I would have, so hats off to her.

All in all, the story did eventually pick up and it was a good read despite some of the characters. The epilogue was great and explained everything wonderfully.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and B.A. Paris for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for The Guest, February 20, 2024

Okay.... This one got me. If you, like me, loved B.A. Paris' "Behind Closed Doors" and "The Breakdown," you'll enjoy this one, I think.

I had a great time guessing what was going on, and still got bamboozled.

Immediately add this book to your 2024 reading list. As a B.A. Paris fan, I’ve been waiting anxiously for this book and jumped on the opportunity to provide an advance review. It did not disappoint. With an explosive beginning, the story maintains a steady burn until a very satisfying end. The plot deepens as the reader learns more about the characters, compelling people with likeability that varied, as they each justified their own decisions and actions in attempts to control the narrative. Events converge in unexpected ways, prompting several questions. Just how well can we truly know our partners and friends, and when, if ever, is dishonesty justified? Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and B.A. Paris for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m just going to say this immediately—I’m a huge B.A. Paris fan! Every book I’ve read has been awesome and part of the reason I love thrillers so much and especially domestic thrillers! The Guest was absolutely no different in terms of loving this author—great twists and turns and perfect for anyone who loves a good thriller. I absolutely loved that this one kept me guessing and when I thought I knew what was up, I didn’t. I loved this one and recommend B.A. Paris to anyone!

Usually a fan of BA Paris, this one sadly was off the mark for me . I’ve read a lot of thrillers and this one was just mediocre. The characters weren’t really likeable or overly believable. Thrillers often have a way of showcasing a lot of coincidences and things working out just so, but this one was a bit too far fetched to me. I found myself wanting to scream at the characters to just communicate!!! ..Instead they were mopey and annoying .. and sooo many interconnections! While it was a quick easy read, and it wasn’t awful, it just fell short for me! The entire wrap up of the story, and the “a-ha” moments, were in the epilogue.

Definitely still love BA Paris, just not one of my favourites! Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins press for the ARC!!

Thank you #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read The Guest by B.A. Paris.

I love the author B. A. Paris so it was no surprise that I enjoyed this book. The story was slow at first and had me trying to figure what the twist would be. But oh what a twist it had! The end reveals all. If you like domestic thrillers this one is for you.

I started this book and couldn’t put it down. Loved all the twists. A great quick keep you intrigued read.

BA Paris never disappoints and The Guest is no exception. Completely unpredictable and extremely addicted. I love this so much and the ending blew me away.

Secrets, lies, and murder round out this propulsive psychological thriller. When Laure and Pierre hit a bumpy patch in their marriage Laure runs to the sanctuary of their longtime friends Iris and Gabriel. However Gabriel is dealing with his own demons after finding the body of a young man who fell to his death in a quarry. Only a Gabriel knows the young man’s dying declaration, Toss in a pair of new neighbors, a missing husband, and a soap opera of secrets this book will hold you hostage. The twists will leave you breathless. This might very well be her most staggeringly genius work yet. Five stars all around
The Guest ~ B. A. Paris

I loved this book and how it kept building and getting deeper and deeper into a web of intensity.
There were many points where I have no idea who the guilty parties were… Everyone was suspicious which kept me guessing. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and can’t wait for others to read it as well.

B. A. Paris can do no wrong and "The Guest" proves why she is at the top of the psychological thriller genre!

This is a hard one for me to review and rate. I always enjoy B.A Paris’ books, but this one just missed the mark a bit for me. I really did still enjoy the book, but the first half of it kind of dragged for me. I mean it needs character build up and all which I understand, but maybe I have just been reading too many faster paced thrillers lately. I’m not really sure. Also, I just didn’t like any of the characters and I personally think that can alter my views on the story too.

I will say about 40% in the story it picked up more for me, and I really enjoyed it! I kind of guessed part of the twist but I did not see all of them.

I do forsee many people loving this book. I’m not upset a bit that I read it and I’m grateful to have read it. I always enjoy her books.

I would most definitely recommend this book, but I would just warn if you are looking for a faster paced thriller from the get go don’t expect that until a bit later in this story.

Thank you NetGalley, B.A Paris, and St. Martens Press for my e-Arc! Publishing Date 02/20/24

First I would like to say thank you for letting me read this advanced copy.
The book was good full of potential so I know it's going to be a bestseller I love how the story builds up before it gets to the real juicy parts and I am a fan of her other work as well job well ✔️

I'm a long time fan of B.A. Paris and have read every single one of her books. This is a mid-book with an unsatisfying ending in my opinion. I can't elaborate anymore without giving it away but the majority of this book comes together in the last chapter (Epilogue) and I prefer it drawn out in multiple chapters and the epilogue giving final closure. There were also some side plots/ mysteries that I didn't particularly care for (ie the Charlie portions). I had a hunch early on as to who Pierre had fathered a child with and since that was one of the big mysterieis, it wasn't as satisfying. Overall, I think authors are getting a bit sloppy wtih the twists. I get there are only so many tropes to end with, but this one has been done many times before and wasn't executed well. This is definitely an outlier in B.A. Paris' work and so I will continue to read her, but this one wasn't for me. It was also hard to get into and I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable. Laure was by far the most annoying and while I understood Gabriel was doing with his own grief and trauma, I didn't appreciate how much he shut his wife Iris out.

I've read all of B.A. Paris books and loved them all including her new book The Guest. It grabbed my attention fast and was a quick read. The twist was really good and I did not see it coming! Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

4⭐️

Sadly I had to DNF this title. With the style it’s written in I struggled to understand it and connect with the characters. I really wanted to enjoy this book and was really excited about receiving this ARC, I’mso bummed it was a DNF. I would like to thank NetGalley for this opportunity though!

I started this one this morning and couldn’t put it down all day! The characters had so much intrigue and I was so impressed by the twists and turns of the plot. Easy 5 stars for me!

5 Stars for The Guest by B.A Paris. What happens when the layers start to chip away so that you can see what you want to see underneath. Iris and Gabriel want you to think that they have it all the beautiful home in a British countryside, a daughter and good friends Pierre and Laure from Paris. When a tragic accident happens to a young man Gabriel finds him and hears his final words which then leave him with a guilty burden. Iris tries to help him but then they end up having an unexpected house guest Laure. Why is Laure their house guest? What is the deal with the new gardener and his checkered past? This book had me turning pages till the very end and will keep you guessing. The author wrote this book with great suspense and definitely accomplished an unputdownable book. Highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this ARC read.