In true B.A. Paris style, The Guest presents us with another cast of characters, at least one of which is deeply unlikeable, and will leave your BEGGING the protagonists to get away from them. This book left my skin crawling at how engrained the guest was trying to become in our protagonists lives.

It was a touch obvious that something was seriously wrong in France, but that was balanced well by the utter loathing one felt for Laure.

I always read any book by B.A. Paris. This one wasn’t one of my favorites because it kinda dragged. I thought it was just okay. There was not any excitement to make me want to stay up late to finish it. Kind of predictable but still a good, easy read.

I have become such a fan of this author!

This book took awhile for me to digest after. So much going on and such a great twist. It was a slow burn thriller yet felt like I got to the end fast! Maybe that’s cause I couldn’t put it down once I started?!

I did not see the ending coming. I thought I had it all figured out but boy was I wrong.

Will definitely be recommending this book.

The Guest is the newest of the B.A.Paris thriller suspense books. It is not often that you can say that the ending is just WOW!
Iris and Gabriel come back from a mini vacation to find an unexpected house guest that’ it seems is never going to leave . After a series of stacking unfortunate events their lives have been totally turned upside down .
This book is one of those that reminds you exactly why you love to read.
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for a copy for my opinion.

Ughhhh!! I went into this one with high hopes. It starts off fine. The chapters are short so makes it easy to keep reading. Problem is nothing really exciting happens to suck you in. Right away you can kinda guess what’s going to happen. The ending leaves you thinking “that’s all”? Booo! I’m gonna go pout now. 😂

The beginning was kind of slow for me. The guest Lauren was annoying (lol). I would have not let her stay that long. Even the first day her being there I was annoyed with her and I wasn’t even the one in the house. I did not see the twist coming. I really enjoyed this book and would give it 3.5 stars.

The Guest by B.A. Paris was a 4/5-star thriller, for me, that revolves around the lives of three married couples in England. Gabriel & Iris, Pierre & Laure, and finally Hamish & Esme are all dealing with issues in their marriage. This book explores what happens when husband and wives keep secrets, and how those secrets can end up decimating a marriage. Because all these couples are burdened with secrets they aren't sharing with their partner, the reader is suspicious of all their true characters! Could any of these individuals be capable of murder? Read and find out!

Gabriel and Iris are the main characters, and therefore most of the story is told from their perspective. They are recently empty-nesters and dealing with their own marital strife when Laure, one of their best friends, comes for a surprise extended stay because of her own severe marital issues of infidelity and a secret lovechild fathered by her husband Pierre. Gabriel and Iris are devastated by the news of an impending divorce, but soon bore of the constant complaining, and somewhat childish antics of Laure and her wearying presence!

There are many "secrets" interwoven into this storyline, each having its own impact on the lives of Gabriel and Iris. Throw in a few suspicious murders and suicides, and the murder mystery goes full speed. With the help of a few other interesting characters interspersed, the story begins to get very interesting. Between the several different compelling, and simultaneous mysteries, the reader begins to seriously question the character of everyone introduced in the story. Nobody is trusted, because every character is hiding something shameful!

Parts of the story were a little slow, in the beginning but it certainly gained momentum towards the ending. Though the ending was exciting, I wasn't blown away with surprise and therefore my rating is a 4/5. Overall, this is a well-written, and very entertaining book.

The only real negative for me was the apathetic way Gabriel and Iris allowed Laure to live indefinitely and intrusively in their home without a serious discussion of an 'exit strategy.' I found this aspect to be a bit unrealistic. They walked on eggshells protecting her feelings instead of being honest about her intrusiveness. Gabriel and Iris were having their own marital issues that needed sorting out, and with Laure there the issues only became more serious. This was the lesson of this book; honesty and communication are essential, with friends but especially when dealing with a spouse. Keeping secrets in a marriage becomes exhausting and not worth the damage to the relationship in the long run.

Thank you, Net Galley, St. Martin’s Press, and B.A. Paris, for this opportunity to read this very entertaining eARC. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced by anyone else. Add this to your TBR list and grab a copy after its February 20th, 2024, publication day. Enjoy!

📖REVIEW// THE GUEST BY B.A PARIS📖

⭐⭐⭐

While I've had fantastic luck with B. A Paris in the past, the last two novels I have read by this author have been flops for me. I didn't like any of the characters, I found the pacing to be slow, and I struggled to get through it. Overall, this book doesn't work for me, but I will be willing to try any future books by this author.

Thank you so much to Net Galley, and St. Martin's Press for a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Expected Publish Date: February 20th, 2024

ARC via publisher

B.A. Paris does it again! I've read so many books by Paris and it's safe to say that this is one of my favorites. That epilogue... wowza! I'm still reeling!

Iris and Gabriel are an interesting pairing. They have been together for decades and it seems like not only has their relationship fizzled out, but the added stressors surrounding them have pushed them farther apart than together. When their long-time friend Lore unexpectedly decides to move in after marriage troubles of her own, the chasm between them seems to grow.

This novel packs death after death into the pages and I couldn't get a sense of if they were coincidences, if there was foul play, or if something totally separate was going on. There were twists I thought I was so smart for catching onto and then most of the surprises flew right over my head and left me breathless and giddy with excitement.

From shady characters, untimely deaths, unwanted houseguests, infidelity, secret lovers, and a love child this book has SO much going on! It all played so well together that it never felt too much and until the epilogue, I maybe didn't even catch on to how much was going on! Paris is an expert at her craft and I loved how everything came together, how she answered questions I didn't realize I was asking, and how she just left me so stunned and surprised.

I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed it. The pacing and thrill is perfect for audio and the narrator, Emily Joyce, did a stellar job.

This is one I definitely recommend and thoroughly enjoyed. Thank you to MacMillan Audio, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the copy.

I usually love BA Paris’ books, but this one drags on and on. It felt like nothing happened until 50% through the book, and then nothing happens again until the 95% mark. I was bored and would have DNF’d if not for loving this authors other books and thinking something amazing must happen.

Iris and Gabriel return home from a vacation that was intended (by Iris at least) to rekindle some sparks in their marriage but sadly fell far short. Gabriel is still suffering from depression after being present at the dying declaration of a young man they knew. He’s sad, conflicted, unable to focus and is on leave from his job. Romance is the last thing on his mind. Iris has tried to be supportive but she’s getting more than a bit impatient. Their daughter is away at school so it’s just the two of them, rarely speaking and not really connecting.

As if that’s not bad enough, they return home to find their friend Laure staying, uninvited, in their home. In their bedroom, in fact. Laure and her husband Pierre have been friends with Iris and Gabriel since they met nearly 20 years ago at Iris and Gabriel’s first wedding anniversary and have maintained regular contact and visits over the years, but Laure’s appearance in the house is unexpected. She’s left Pierre after he revealed he had a daughter from a secret affair. Naturally she’s obsessed with it, it’s all she thinks or talks about, but it soon becomes apparent that she’s not intending to leave anytime soon and she begins to act like it’s her house and they are the guests.

They meet Esme and Hugh, who have just moved in nearby. Hugh is older, Esme is expecting, and their guest Joseph seems to have a close, unusual relationship with Esme. Esme and Iris become friends, but Laure horns in. Iris develops a little crush on Joseph but here comes Esme again. And where is Pierre all this time? He’s not replying to Gabriel’s calls or texts, hasn’t contacted Esme or come to smooth things out.

So lots of people with emotional issues, secrets, hidden motives, shifting loyalties, and suddenly a lot of death. We get a lot of detail about day-to-day life, what everyone is doing, and what they are thinking – although we can’t be sure about that. I have enjoyed every book by B. A. Paris since the beginning but it was at about this point in The Guest that I started to become weary. The pace is slow and author Paris takes us down long, often convoluted paths where we think, “Aha! I know who did it.” But then something happens and we are left wondering how we went wrong and start down another path. In the end there are too many people, most of them not too likable, too many red herrings and unexplained events. There is a big surprise at the end, but at that point I was surprised/not surprised because who else could it be by this point? The epilogue is far too long and seemed more like a recap or an essay than an active part of this story.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of The Guest via NetGalley. Although it was not quite for me I believe many readers will enjoy it, as there is a constant level of suspense and discomfort throughout the story and many twists and turns. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

This was a great paced and fun read. Great twists and turns and kept me engaged the entire read. A friend is in your house when you return from a trip and she’s sleeping in your bed and wearing your clothes? Little strange don’t you think?? This book has some plot twists that kept me guessing.

This story begins with a struggling couple, Gabriel and Iris, coming home to an unexpected guest and mutual friend- Laure. Laure has arrived after hearing a terrible new secret about her husband, also a friend to the couple. She arrives at a time of grief for Gabriel, as he’s just lost his dad and witnessed the death of a young boy. There’s something lingering - guilt or fear- about the incident with the young boy that’s caused Gabriel and Iris to grow distant.

A new couple appears in the neighborhood, Esme and Hugh, who are also hosting a guest- Joseph. Joseph is a recovering alcoholic and is staying with the couple to work on their landscaping for the summer.

Many questions start to arise that are solved throughout this story. What is Gabriel hiding ? What really happened with Laure and her husband? What is Joseph hiding about his past?

I love this author, and I will admit I was hooked while reading this book. The ending came crashing in all at once and, for me, was a bit underwhelming, so I went with the three stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out as a story of a woman Laure who leaves her husband and intrudes on friends while trying to cope with this decision. I totally sympathized with the friends, Iris and Gabriel until…….. Wow the twists began and I was floored. This is definitely a must read.


Thank you to B A Paris and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in exchange for my review.

The Guest is a domestic suspense novel where you know something is going to happen and that you don't know the whole story but it will probably take you until the end to put all the pieces together. It's a slow burn so don't pick it up thinking you'll be doing a page turner that will keep you up late at night. But it's certainly suspenseful and mysterious.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy. Expected publication date is February 20, so put it on your list to pick up.

Well, if anyone has read any of her books they know this one is just as amazing as the others! Twisty, turny, and had me guessing until the end! Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for my review!

The Guest is a fun thriller written by one of my favorite suspense writers. It is about Iris and Gabriel who end up with an unwanted guest.

It did take me a bit of time to truly become invested in the story. Especially because their guest Laure was taking advantage of their kindness. But by the second half I really enjoyed the characters. And could not wait to see how the book would end.

I definitely thought that the book was over by the two thirds mark. However the author had more to reveal. The end definitely made me think. But overall this was a good thriller.

Another B.A. Paris win! A tense, psychological thriller.

Iris and Gabriel have had a rough few months when their friend Laure shows up at their home to stay for an extended period of time. She needs a break from her husband Pierre. As time passes, Laure continues to extend her stay, creating a tense environment in the own home. While out on a run one day to escape the stress at home, Iris meets Esme, a new neighbor and quickly becomes friends with her and her husband Hugh. They even hire Joseph, Esme's friend, to help Gabriel with a gardening project. A move both Iris and Gabriel start to question due to his checkered past.

I could barely put this book down. I stayed up late and woke up early to read as much as I could.
It's full of twists, secrets, lies, and shocking revelations.

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and B.A Paris for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall the book kept me interested in what was happening and where the story was going but the big twist was a letdown. Would give this 2.5 stars.

I have read and enjoyed every one of this author’s published books. I was so excited to get a chance to dive into this one. I like how this author always write short chapters that keep you wanting more.

I was a fan of the points of view we got to read from as the story unfolded. I have to say I saw a twist coming at the end, but I didn’t expect to be so mind blown. As always this author wraps everything up in a neat bow for us readers.

If I’m gonna read a mystery/thriller by an author I already know I’m fond of I won’t read the synopsis. In this case I’m really glad I didn’t because everything came as such a surprise to me.