Read Completed 12/20/23 | 4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for the audiobook review copy. This free copy did not affect my review in any way.

I really enjoyed THE GUEST a lot more than I thought I would! I've read all of B.A. Paris' thrillers so far and some have been big flops, including the last few, so I just wasn't sure what to expect. Maybe because my expectations were low, I went into it not expecting much and I was happy when I ended up connecting with it.

The beginning of the book was slower, but enjoyable for me. If nothing else, the concept of a guest that's overstayed their welcome was dread enough for me to feel tension and anxiety while reading. I was okay with this pacing because I liked getting to know the characters really well and wondering where everything was going, but I can see how others might not have enjoyed that. I mean, normally I probably wouldn't have enjoyed that, but I just really ended up clicking with the characters, which doesn't always happen.

Things started to spiral out of control about halfway through and that's where things really got interesting. I didn't want to stop reading and was racing through to try and guess at all of these family secrets! Who was the most sinister? Were these circumstances suspicious or out of character? I really liked all the little surprises and twists.

This could have really ended on a bang but instead, we get a weak epilogue where someone basically tells all, and I really hate that. It's lazy and felt like we reached the conclusion of the book already and this was all an afterthought. It really cheapened everything and I wish that could have been used IN the conclusion because everything else just kind of died off and wasn't exciting.

This was a better B.A. Paris read for me but I'm really disappointed in how everything wrapped up. The answers to the questions were satisfying but I hate how we learned about them and after finding out all the answers, there were too many red herrings and barely-hanging-on parties.

This book kept me guessing until the very end! I love that in a book. The plot was tense and uncomfortable at moments, but was thoroughly thought through and very well written. This is my first book by this author, and will definitely be picking up more. Highly recommend.

Alright second chance with a B.A. Paris book! I think it's official.that I'm just not into her writing. The guest is a domestic thriller that's not thrilling at all. Iris and Gabriel have been through a lot when their friend shows up unexpectedly. Iris and Gabriel are sick of their guest, Laure. She came when she found out her husband had a child she didn't know about. I mostly just hated that iris was told from first person and Gabriel was told from third person. It's annoying. This book was too slow. Just Read the epilogue and it'll explain everything so you don't have to read it all.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

This book kept me intrigued. I did not see the ending coming! The book is about 2 couples that are great friends. Their lives are more intertwined and complicated than some of them know. You think you know someone, but things are not always what they seem!

I really had a hard time getting into this one. But I do love B.A. Paris book the therapist! I would definitely give another book a shot though!

Wooooow, B.A. Paris does it again. Actually this might be my favorite out of all of her books. I love it when a suspense novel has you going down one path thinking you’ve figured the plot out only to make a sharp left turn and now you’re second guessing yourself. The story had my hooked and the major plot twist at the end was so good! I didn’t see it coming and I always figure things out!
Iris and Gabriel are surprised when their best friend arrives from Paris and asks if she can stay with them for a short period of time. Laure was given some shocking news by her husband, Pierre that early into their marriage he had had an affair that resulted in a pregnancy. Iris and Gabriel are equally as shocked, but hope that they’re two best friends can get past this news.
Gabriel tries to talk to Pierre and see if he can help him work through what’s going on, but can’t seem to get a hold of him and Laure’s presence is starting to wear on them. The couple was already dealing with a tragic event that took place before their guest arrived, and now having to deal with the affair, and Pierre wanting a relationship with this mystery daughter, is too much.
Strange things start to happen and everyone involved will start to question if they really know each other like they thought that they did.

"The Guest" by B.A. Paris begins with a slow burn, but swiftly evolves into a captivating read that kept me gripped until the final page. Paris masterfully crafts a narrative filled with suspense, leaving me guessing at every turn as to the true nature of the unfolding events. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the unexpected twist at the end took me by surprise, solidifying this novel as a thrilling and satisfying psychological thriller.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Guest by B. A. Paris.
The Guest is a riveting thriller that delivers a rollercoaster ride of suspense and intrigue from start to finish. With its expertly plotted twists and turns, the novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unraveling the sinister consequences of an innocent invitation that quickly spirals into a nightmarish ordeal. The author's sharp prose and well-drawn characters immerse readers in a web of deception and betrayal, culminating in a heart-pounding climax that will leave them breathless. Beyond its thrilling plot, the novel also delves into deeper themes of trust and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

As usual, this B.A. Paris book packs a punch.

Gabriel and Iris have been married for years but are suffering through a difficult patch. They don't talk to one another and both of them seem to be keeping secrets from one another. Their partnership is on the line. It seems that when Gabriel was with a young man in their community as he died from an accident, he never recovered from the impact. He's been changed ever since and can't move forward and whenever Iris tries to reach out to him, he refuses to open up to her. It doesn't help any when their good friend, Laure shows up to stay with them because her own marriage is on the rocks.

The book adds in new neighbors, Esme and Hugh as well. Gabriel and Iris easily befriend them and spend some time with them. Esme and Hugh have a friend staying on site to help them with some gardening - - Joseph. He also ends up helping Gabriel. Joseph seems full of secrets himself.

Even though there were a few points where this move felt like it drug some, I enjoyed it overall. It was clever and unique.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: I also listened to the audiobook and found it to be quite well done. The narration was spot on and kept me hooked. It was a lovely performance of the material. 4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

I'm struggling to find anything positive to say about this book. I've enjoyed a few other books by this author, but this one was a miss.

Thank you, Netgalley and publisher, for the digital arc.

This story is a slow-burn mystery with drama and twisty friendship dynamics. What prevented this story from getting a high rating was the ending. We get the entire story of what actually happened in the epilogue. This made me realize that I am not a fan of this. I love twisty endings that have hints and red herrings throughout the story, but this one did not have that. It was the opposite of what happened, and I cannot rate it any higher than 2.5 stars.

Not my favorite book for sure. There were a lot of loose ends that weren’t tired up in the end. It was a very light and quick read but I like books that get a little deeper.

I went into this one blindly. I tried really hard not reading any reviews because Behind Closed Doors was such a solid read. The Guest didn't disappoint! Talk about someone over staying their welcome! I was getting so frustrated! haha. Overall, great thriller with a lot of twists and turns!

Thank you NetGalley and B. A. Paris for an ARC copy of this page-turning thriller!

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ [ 4 Stars ]

— “It seemed to Gabriel that roots=, like lies, were insidious” (The Guest, pg. 82)


[ Spoilers ahead...duh ]


— Okay, I have SO many thoughts, and not all of them are so great. I think the premise of this book was really good, and this having been the second B. A. Paris book I've read (Bring Me Back being the first), I had high hopes for this. I was expecting twists and turns I didn't really see coming. and was expecting to pretend like I knew what was happening, and for all of that to be a lie.

And unfortunately, being right did not bode well for me, especially a second time. I am all for mysterious twists and characters coming clean, but when the entire plot of the story is laid out action by action in an epilogue - that is also first person which derives from the rest of the entire book being in third person - there's something about it that grinds my gears. Like yes, were the signs there? Maybe, maybe not. Maybe I am not a thorough of a reader as I'd like to think I am sometimes playing detective, but Paris does this thing where she fools you ...and it doesn't feel good. It feels dubious, like the entire thing I just read was a lie. Especially when they bring up the tropes of alcoholism and mental illness. I am thinking of Bring Me Back as well when I say it, and it seems to be a common thread in Paris' writing.

That being said, I think the premise and what was happening kept me reading. I really liked Iris and Gabriel, and glad we got to see the story from both of their shoulders, but I wish we had gotten more hints from Iris. Again, I go back to saying it felt blindsiding, and not in a good way.

And also, Laure was so fucking annoying. Like borderline I almost was skimming some of the scenes with her annoying cause she made my eye twitch. And that goes to show the depth and style that Paris holds in their writing and characterization, but I wish they would stray from the one note female character isn't all what they seem, with the entire thing being unraveled in an easily skippable epilogue that does not tie in to the other 275 pages we read. But overall, it kept me (semi) engaged, and I think despite its flaws, its a nail-biting tale that you really feel gossipy about in wanting to know every little detail about everyone.

This is definitely a case of wearing out your welcome. Iris and Gabriel come home to finding a friend Laure in their home. She doesn't want to leave either.
A lot of twists and turns.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and the NetGalley for the ARC.

An interesting story, with lots of possibilities for the who, where & why … the ending a slow burn. I found the beginning of the book a little slow, that picked up in the middle, and a fantastic twist of an ending (although looking back there were signs throughout that I didn’t catch). I liked the multi-person POV, however I didn’t like that they were not “announced” and I never quite knew who was narrating until a few sentences into the chapter. I found most of the characters annoying, which I feel was intended, and it pushed the story forward wondering which secrets belonged to who, and what was still hidden. Overall a good read.

I loved the guest by BA Paris. Behind closed doors is hard to beat for me but this was a close second for me!

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.*

Iris and Gabriel have just returned from holiday and found Laure has taken up residence in their bed. As shocking as this seems to the reader, it is explained that Laure is a long time family friend who has had access to their home in the past while they are on vacation as they have had access to Laure's and her husband Pierre's home in Paris. But wow! Laure has had news of Pierre's one night stand from years past that resulted in a child that she was unaware of. And Iris and Gabriel can't kick Laure out of their house while she is in crisis, right?

Laure seems to be very overbearing and low-key obnoxious with wearing Iris's clothes and rearranging the kitchen without asking among other things. I won't lie that as a reader it gets a little irritating how much Iris and Gabriel let Laure get away with. I feel like everything at the beginning of the story pays off quite well.

As mentioned above, the first part of the story drags a tad, but sets up the rest of the story. At the end, I couldn't put it down and couldn't read fast enough! Paris writes a great twisty story with surprises.

Review: The Guest by B.A. Paris
⭐️⭐️⭐️

As usual, especially with thrillers, I went in to this knowing nothing… absolutely nothing. That normally works out for me because I’m intrigued enough by knowing zero about the book to propel me forward.

That wasn’t exactly what happened here. I found the first half, if not a bit more, very boring. It seemed repetitive and like the story wasn’t going to go anywhere, and I couldn’t figure out how this could end having thrilled me. I also couldn’t have cared any less about all the characters.

The ending of the book really turned it up a bit, and I did end up not being able to put it down. There are a lot of subtle hints throughout the book about what’s happening and what I did like was that the ending was thoroughly fleshed out and explain, every detail added up at the end.

I was a bit surprised by a few things, I wasn’t shellshocked and, in my opinion, it wasn’t mind blowing. The author definitely tries their best to distract from what’s really going on. I think someone who doesn’t read a lot of thrillers or is not one who normally guesses what’s going on will love this book.

Thank you @stmartinspress for the review copy!

(This will be shared on my IG at 9am MST on March 13)

The ending saved this book that is otherwise a quite tedious domestic drama with a ton of characters than don't have a lot of character (pun intended!). The writing is basic -"he did this, she did that" - which is acceptable for a thriller but nothing to be thrilled about. The pacing was slow and I found myself disengaging throughout. I still wanted to see the story to its end, and it surprised me in a good way.

This could have been a decent thriller, however the execution fell short for me. If you like domestic dramas with the suburban setting and don't mind slow pacing, this book may be for you.

𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.