The Guest is a nice suspenseful domestic drama with well-written characters. The guest is Laure, a friend of our protagonists Iris and Gabriel. Laure lives in France with her husband Pierre (Gabriel's best friend), and shows up unannounced to stay at the couple's house in England, claiming that Pierre has had an affair. Laure is very annoying and never takes a hint and follows Iris around being a nuisance and missing every social cue. Iris and Gabriel make friends with another couple in town, who also have a guest with a bad personality. Soon all the guests' secrets start coming out, and then the hosts secrets do too. I liked this book quite a lot - it was a 4 star read through most of it because I love how Paris writes characters. I just thought the ending was a little lazy and unsatisfying. However, this is definitely one I would recommend if you don't mind a slower-paced thriller- others may not be bothered by the ending and enjoy the twist! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me guessing throughout, and the way it played out in the epilogue had me speechless. As I read, I felt that there were many suspects in the events of the book. I’ve read all of this author’s books and have enjoyed them, so this is an auto read author for me. Thanks for the ARC!

What an exciting read I couldn't seem to put down. I truly have only one criticism about the book. The length of the chapters were perfect; really added to the pacing of the book. The Epilogue, unfortunately, felt like it lasted forever. I appreciated the wrap up of events. I didn't mind the change in voice. It just felt like it took forever compared to the rest of the story.

Thank you B.A. Paris, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this e ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved behind closed doors and had high expectations for this book . I just found it too slow and did not like the characters. There also seemed to have a lot of characters to keep track of .


Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

B.A. Paris’s first few books were all 5-star reads for me and put her firmly on my auto-read author list. Unfortunately, her latest few have been more hit and miss for me, and this one definitely fell into the latter category.

The Guest follows a middle-aged couple whose marriage is on the rocks as they get thrown into the drama of their couple friends as their marriage completely falls apart and the wife — Laure — comes to stay with them. This book was long and drawn out, and while there was a lot going on with lots of twist and turns to keep you guessing, it felt like it was just the same things and conversations happening over and over and over again. I was bored and found myself plowing through just waiting to feel invested in the story or the characters, but I never did.

I will say, the ending came as a surprise, and bumped it up a star from how I felt about the rest of the book, but by that point, I was so over it, I still didn’t really care.

I wanted to love this book. I wanted to read something more akin to the tightly plotted and tense page turners I had grown to love from Paris, but this, unfortunately, was not it for me.

B.A. Paris is a master of the tangled webs we weave. His latest novel, The Guest, is no exception. Lauren and Pierre meet Iris and Gabriel while on their honeymoon. The couples become fast friends and remain in each other’s lives, sharing houses when one of the couples is out of town, vacationing together and become as close as family. When Lauren and Gabriel arrive home from a holiday they find Iris has moved into their bedroom. Usually, they ask each other before just staying over but not this time. Iris has decided to leave Pierre after finding out he has a secret child they knew nothing about. Iris always wanted children but Pierre didn’t. Now that he has a child, Iris is hurt and disappointed.

The story unfolds as a snails pace with several more characters thrown into the mix. Although I had a hard time getting into the book, the ending was great! Definitely didn’t see that one coming!

My appreciation goes to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my review.

Thank you Net Galley for an advance copy. Interesting and twisty. If you enjoy a good page turner you will enjoy this book.

The Guest follows the story of husband and wife, Gabriel and Iris. When they return home from a trip they find their friend, Laure, living in their house. Laure tells them that she has left her husband after finding out that he had an affair many years ago and has a secret child. Iris and Gabriel open their home to their old friend but quickly Laure starts to out stay her welcome. Many secrets from the past slowly come to the surface in this psychological thriller.

This book was full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. While I was intrigued I wasn’t on the edge of my seat. I felt that the pacing was off at time. Sometimes the book was slow and other times it was full speed ahead. I also didn’t connect with the characters and didn’t find them likeable. The ending came out of nowhere and really surprised me. Overall I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.

B.A. Paris is easily an auto-buy author for me. Ever since Behind Closed Doors she hasn’t let me down yet.

THE GUEST was a wild ride type of thriller. No slow burning here!

I really felt like I knew what was going on the whole time and then was completely gobsmacked. If you’re a thriller lover, you know being gobsmacked is THE BEST.

Iris and Gabriel are on of those IT couples. They have it all until Gabriel comes across a man on his run that breathes his final words to Gabriel which are something devastating. Gabriel keeps this burden to himself and it is a heavy weight to bear.

Then we have Laurie whose friend is staying in their home and aside from overstaying her welcome, she starts trying to be more and more like Iris.

Oh and let’s not forget the bodies that start dropping. GAH! I was up late with this one!

You’ll have to read to see where all this goes. Thriller lovers and lovers of suspense will love THE GUEST!

The Guest by B.A. Paris releases on Tuesday February 20. If you’re a fan of slow burn domestic thrillers that will both frustrate and shock you then you should pick this one up. One of the most infuriating things about this book for me was the notion of a “houseguest from hell”. If I found someone (even a friend) in my house without my permission, sleeping in my bed, and wearing my clothes I’d be furious. They certainly would be staying but the MCs of this one put up with it. I was SO frustrated while reading that I honestly almost stopped reading but I’m glad I didn’t. This book is FILLED with twists, turns, and murder. I wasn’t expecting to have so much thrown at me, but it was really exciting as I was reading. And the ending? Didn’t see it coming. I was glad to see the epilogue wrap things up and make sense of everything even though it was quite long.


𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦 𝗢𝗙
❥ Domestic Thrillers
❥ Murder Mysteries
❥ Plenty of twists and turns

𝗠𝗬 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is domestic drama at its finest! Iris and Gabriel come home from holiday to find their friend Laure moved into their home after having left her husband because he had an affair that led to a child he has just discovered and wants to get to know. Adding to the mix is a new couple who have just moved into town and the dynamics between them and their gardener is a conundrum to be explored. It’s not a quick read by any means but it’s all about the ending!! I thank Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Do we ever know what we’re capable of?

Gabriel is going through a really rough time at the moment: he’s on leave from work after losing his beloved Great Dane, his father passing shortly thereafter, & being the first at the scene of a death at the local quarry. His wife Iris is doing her best to get him to open up, but their living situation becomes fraught with tension when a good friend named Laure comes to stay with them for an extended period of time following her husband Pierre’s revelation that he had fathered a child with another woman sometime in the past. Laure won’t leave Iris alone, & it’s a distressing situation for Gabriel as well since he’s friends with Pierre & Pierre has suddenly become very uncommunicative; one of the only means of escape from the strangeness in their home comes in the form of fun new neighbors Esme & Hugh who are expecting their first child soon. However they also come with a gardener, & that man may be more trouble than anyone realizes…

The lengthy explanation at the end was one I did not see coming - I’ve read B. A. Paris books in the past & this one was exactly the high-caliber thriller I’ve come to expect from this author. I enjoyed some of the little details like the dog shelter Iris & Gabriel’s daughter Beth worked at, & The Secret Garden reference when Gabriel started improvements on their property as something to do during his work leave. The overall story was a complicated mix of relationships that I read through very quickly, & I recommend it to anyone looking for a fascinating shocker of a book that can be read in a single sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love BA Paris! Great set up, mood, characters with fun twists. The story moves quickly and has some dark elements that are sure to darkly delight Paris’ readers.

"The Guest" by B.A. Paris is a masterclass in suspense, delivering a gripping narrative that had me glued to the pages from start to finish. Paris's skill in crafting a tense, unpredictable storyline is unparalleled, ensuring that I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire read. The plot's twists and turns were perfectly paced, making it impossible to put down—I devoured this book in just one day. The characters are deeply complex, driving the story forward with their secrets and revelations. For anyone looking for a thrilling psychological ride, "The Guest" is a must-read. Paris has outdone herself with this one, proving once again why she's a leading name in the genre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Iris & Gabriel and Laure & Pierre have been friends for years. When Laure shows up at their door in the middle of a crisis, of course Iris & Gabriel open their door and arms to help her figure things out. But what happens when that friend seems to overstay their welcome and seems to be acting out while you are dealing with your own issues?

Perfect read to get me out of a reading slump. In true BA Paris fashion, there are many twists and turns and your mind will take you down many wrong roads. As always, the ending comes together, like putting the final pieces in a puzzle and all the signs become obvious. There were times I scratched my head and questioned motives or decisions, and yes, I was totally manipulated. Characters were annoying, not very likable. This was a fun psychological read. If you’ve read this author before, you know what her endings are like. Thanks to BA Paris for giving me a book I couldn’t put down.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

“The Guest” by B.A. Paris follows couple Iris and a guilt-stricken Gabriel, who heard the last words of a dying young man. While Iris tries to take care of her husband, her friend, Laure, unexpectedly becomes a house guest after leaving her husband. After Laure’s arrival, secrets are unraveled. How far will someone go to protect these secrets?

The book was easy to read, but I felt conflicted. The first two-thirds of the book was slow and felt repetitive. How many times can the characters rehash the same secrets? It felt like an overload. The book's last third picked up and there were some great twists. The loose ends came together and if you like B.A. If you like Paris's work, it might be worth reading the book for the epilogue.

Thank you to B.A. Paris St. Martin’s` Press my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

It's 'the man who came to dinner," only it's a woman houseguest, uninvited and reluctant to leave, in .B.A. Paris'. "The Guest." Paris leads us down a rabbit hole of petty annoyances and gruesome deaths, until finally there's a big reveal I for one didn't see coming. Print and online review ran in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The Guest is another twisty read from B.A. Paris. While I did enjoy this more than the last book I read by this author, something was off for me and I can’t quite put my finger on it. The dynamic between the characters felt a little forced I think, and the pacing seemed a little repetitive at times. I was hooked into the story however, and I felt invested enough to see how the story would play out. The end of the story was a little bit of a surprise, and for those who are newer to thrillers, I would recommend it for that reason.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have never read a B.A. Paris book and been disappointed, this one is no different. This book had my attention from the first page, I couldn't put it down. The way she writes psychological thrillers is like no other. There were so many twists and turns, and even though I thought I had it figured out, she let me know I didn't.

I love myself a good domestic thriller and B.A Paris never disappoints in that department!

This story is about a couple named Gabriel and Iris and one day when they come home from some time away they find Laure one of their friends in their house claiming that she was having some marriage trouble. Iris was skeptical from the beginning and just wants Laure out of the house. As the story unravels you will be SHOCKED.

The twist at the end had my jaw on the floor. I recommend picking this up if you are like me and enjoy a great domestic thriller with an awesome twist!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for an eBook copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!