This book kept me guessing the entire time. The beginning was a little slow to get through but then it really picks up. I loved how it all unfolded. Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc of this book.

When Iris and Gabriel arrive home a day earlier than planned, they are surprised by an unexpected houseguest. Their good friend Laure has made herself at home in order to get away from her husband, Pierre, who claims to have a daughter with another woman. Laure is constantly around, so Iris finds some solace in visiting new neighbors. Gabriel is still healing from a recent traumatic experience but more misfortune seems to follow them, suggesting foul play from someone nearby.

I am typically a big fan of B.A. Paris’s work, and I did end up enjoying this one, though it is not my favorite of her work. This is very much a slow burn thriller and I found the pacing to be a little too slow until the epilogue which was almost too rushed. The characters aren’t very likable and there just wasn’t enough build up or plot twists throughout. However, I did enjoy the ending despite it feeling rushed. It was a great twist and tied everything together well. I think this book is a good read, just be prepared for a slower start.

Thank you to B.A. Paris, St. Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and St Martins Press for the chance to read an advanced reader’s copy of The Guest by BA Paris in exchange for my honest review

This novel is a slow burn at first but trust me- it pays off in a big way.

Gabriel and Iris return from a much needed vacation to find an unexpected guest in their home. Laure, a long time friend, is looking for some help ; but her presence begins to cause cracks in the couple’s lives as she becomes increasingly more intrusive.

Iris finds an escape from her crowded house by spending time with their new neighbors - Esme and Hugh… who are completely lovely .. unless they aren’t ?

This one will keep you guessing the entire time - and is a really quick, fun read .

BA Paris has a gift for always finding a way to tell a story that’s never been told before . I can’t wait for everyone to get their hands on this one !

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of "The Guest" in exchange for my honest review.

This book - as all of Ms. Paris' books was absolutely brilliant! The twists and turns that lead to the explosive final chapter are the best ever. Ms. Paris has also crafted the world's most annoying houseguest in Laure - she chooses to enter a home where her friends are away, she sleeps in their master bedroom instead of one of the guestrooms, she wears Iris' clothes, rearranges Iris and Gabriel's kitchen drawers to how she prefers them, walks around in the nude, follows Iris everywhere and answers calls on her mobile and doesn't give Iris the messages.

The story starts at the christening of baby Hamish. 2 couples - Iris and Gabriel and Esme and Hugh (Hamish's parents) are celebrating when a loud explosion rocks the house. The story then picks up 6 months earlier and we learn that Gabriel a doctor found a young man, Charlie Ingram at the bottom of a quarry - still alive but died before help arrived. Gabriel is wracked with guilt because he lied about Charlie's final words. Arriving home from Scotland they find that there is someone in their house. Their friend Laure has left her husband Pierre because he claims to have fathered a daughter with another woman. We then meet Esme who along with her husband Hugh have just moved to the village and live in the house that Iris coveted. Joseph a young man who is also a recovering alcoholic is working as a gardener for Hugh and Esme. Pierre doesn't answer his mobile, return any messages that Gabriel leaves for him and this is not like him.

Laure finally goes back to Paris to talk to Pierre but when she can't find him at home, instead of waiting for him, she returns to England. When Laure disappears they wonder where she is. We also learn that Paris police have located Pierre. There are so many wonderful clues that misdirect the reader. You will be convinced of what happened and then another clue will lead you in a totally different direction. The story then arrives at the point where it started - the explosion and another body is found. With a body count of 3 in 3 months - the reader will finally find out what really has been happening in this book and it is a fabulously brilliant conclusion that I personally did not see coming.

This book is worth much more than 5 stars as B.A. Paris never disappoints!

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased opinion.

This is my second book by B.A. Paris. Like the first I read it caught me off guard. You think you have something figured out and poof!, it's gone. You think you have all the pieces in place and the ending changes everything. Both books are well written and while they seem to start out slow. They are just laying the foundation for what is to come.

I look forward to reading more from Paris in the future.

Enjoy this book, as I did.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave and B.A. Paris can do just that! The beginning of the story centers around married couple, Iris and Gabriel. Gabriel finds an 18 year old named Charlie right before his death and his final words upset Gabriel. This sets up the story until it pivots to another couple, Laure and Pierre. Laure finds out Pierre has fathered a child by another woman. Laure and Pierre separate with Laure staying with Iris and Gabriel. As the story begins to unfold, new neighbors are introduced, Esme and Hugh, along with their friend, Joseph. Now, it really gets going. The epilogue reveals all and is mind blowing!
Twisted, Page Turning and Brilliant Ending! 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

While I enjoy BA Paris novels, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, remains the best, and to be honest, the writing of the book, and the thin plot, leave a lot to be desired this time. The reveal n the third act, is a satisfying plot twist, and while I really enjoyed this massive surprise, the rest of the book felt repetitive and cartoony, but it’s a great beach read.

This author has been hit or miss for me, but this was a hit! The suspense ramps up throughout the story and I could not for the life of me figure out how it would all play out. Definitely recommend!

Wow what a rollercoaster. I loved this book and author! Always keeps me on my toes. Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC! One of the best I’ve read this summer.

This book felt way too long…perhaps it’s because I didn’t connect with either main character. The plot dragged, and was generally predictable.

Another great read from B.A.Paris. Find a time when you have no plans as you won’t want to stop reading until you find out what happens. Sure to be an instant success- this book will keep you guessing right until the very end. Thank you to St Martins Press and NetGalley for the advanced reader edition.

This book reminds me of Sandie Jones' The Blame Game--not because of the plot, but because the epilogue is used to introduce answers to questions that we didn't know we had.

Once again, this was a good B.A. Paris read for me. As I stated in a previous review, I have been let down in the past; however, the character and plot development in this one kept me hooked in and made for a one sitting read. No characters (except maybe Marcus? Who is Marcus even?!) felt unnecessary as they all contributed to a thread of the story.

Thanks to NetGallly & St. Martin's Press for this advanced digital copy!

I am a passionate reader of B.A. Paris's books and was so excited to get an ARC of The Guest. This one was not my favorite, and I probably won't recommend it like I usually do this author's books. I do not like when the author waits until the very last chapter, or epilogue in this case, and then explains away everything that happened directly to the reader.

Positives:
A quick read
Short chapters
Multiple points of view
A few interwoven mysteries that make the book enjoyable to read

Negatives:
The ending with the direct explanation of one character's actions that summarized all of the loose threads.

I will of course try again and look forward to future books by this author, but this may be a one off for me with this author.

Book: The Guest
Author: B.A. Paris
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Pub Date: February 20, 2024

Another good book by B.A. Paris. It’s definitely a slow burn but I flew through it. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. I’m not saying I liked them as if we would be friends but I liked them for this plot. Iris and Gabriel came home from holiday to find their friend Laure had basically moved in after leaving husband Pierre. And the girl got on my nerves. I kept screaming send her to a hotel already. I couldn’t stand someone getting in my stuff and leaving messes. There are several characters but I found it easy to keep up with. I 100 percent never expected the ending. But it explained everything and if I were to go back and re-read it I could see it coming. The book had a steady flow the entire time and then wham bam!!!! I loved the ending although I did feel like the epilogue was too long. I see a B.A. Paris focused podcast in my future. I’ve read all her books and they are all very good and I would recommend any of them.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this sneak peak! Publication date is February 20, 2024.

Hmmm…I am a bit conflicted about what to say about this book. It flowed smoothly given a good level of suspense and short chapters. I did not anticipate the big twist at the end. But something was missing…I think it may have felt too contrived from the start or I did not care much for the main characters, which made it difficult to be concerned for them. I’m going to round up to 4 stars, but still have not found another book by B.A. Paris thar compares to my fave of hers, Behind Closed Doors.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Iris and Gabriel just came back from a holiday that was meant to help Gabriel overcome his burnout. But one of their friends, Laure, is unexpectedly there when they come home, announcing them she needed time away from her husband, Pierre, who recently found out he has a daughter with another woman. But the more time they spend with Laure, the more her presence in their house becomes tolling. Then, they meet a new couple, and their gardener, and many secrets get unveiled.
This is a psychological thriller with a twist that I did not see coming. I know, right? Was it jaw-dropping? No. But it made sense. However, this was not my favorite book by this author. Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown and The Dilemma were amazing. This one was drawn out, so much so that I stopped caring after about a third (maybe why I didn't see the twist coming). Some of the plot points seem useless and/or did not make sense. The epilogue was a confession type chapter that kept on going for too long. Otherwise, it was a quick read with short chapters.
I received an advanced review copy of this book for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Another page turner from B A Paris. This book started slow for me but when it picked up , it was a run away. . I read it in two settings. There are many twists and turns as a friend moves in with a couple bringing her share of problems. The Guest would be good for book clubs. Loved it.

This is a classic BA Paris book; however, it includes the biggest twist I've yet to see in one of her books. Iris and Gabriel are forced to entertain a houseguest, Laure, while she works out issues with her marriage. The more time they spend with Laure, the more questions they have. In addition, new characters continue to get introduced, each more suspicious than the last.

While this book may not seem like it's worth working through the complexity of the numerous characters and story lines during the beginning, the book winds the stories together an in intricate and surprising way that you will not see coming.

Although I usually love slow burn mysteries, this was a bit too slow, bordering on dull. B.A. Paris is normally one of my favorites but this just didn't do it for me. It felt like I was reading a debut from an unknown author that was trying too hard for shock value in the end. None of the characters were particularly likeable making me not exactly care what happened to any of them. I sincerely apologize to one of my beloved authors for this review. I can't like them all. Three Stars because I can't bring myself to rate this any lower.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

A mystery, suspense and psychological drama are all rolled in to this story.
While I felt that I had to drag through the pages at times, I have to say that the last few chapters and ending packed a crazy punch that was hair raising!
Perhaps, it was the almost laid back effect all the way through that had me so shocked by the end.
I have read most of B.A. Paris's novels and truly loved them, but this one is not my favorite.
If you enjoy mysteries, then by all means give it a try.

Thank you to @Netgalley and to @St. Martin's Press for this ARC and allowing me to provide my own review.