This wasn’t my favorite BA Paris book, but any book by her is great. This one was more predictable than her other books. I guessed the twist early on. It was still a fun read, quick read, and I like her writing style.

A Captivating and Complex Story

SUMMARY
Gabriel and Iris have just returned to their countryside home from a much-needed vacation. They are relieved to be back, but upon entering their house, they realize that something is not right. It appears that someone has been in their home. Laure, a close friend from France, has left her husband over a secret from his past and has taken refuge in their home. She has rearranged their furniture, worn Iris's clothes, and even slept in their bed. Although Gabriel and Iris want to be supportive, as weeks pass, Laure’s presence becomes burdensome and her behavior erratic. They want her to leave. Laure’s husband, Pierre, will not return their calls. As the story unfolds and more and more characters are introduced, dangerous secrets abound.

REVIEW
THE GUEST is a captivating and complex story that weaves together multiple plot lines and characters. While the characters aren't particularly likable, the writing keeps you engaged and eager to find out what happens next. Although the character development is adequate, the real highlight of the book is the shocking twist at the end. Overall, THE GUEST is a worthwhile read that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Publisher St. Martin’s Press
Published February 6, 2024
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

I want to start by giving thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and B.A. Paris for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC.

B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors so I was thrilled when I was approved for this ARC! With that being said, I’m giving this book five stars. There are many reasons why I’m giving this a five star review but the most important one is because I could not put it down! I loved that the chapters were small and I felt like I knew the characters and was a fly on the wall throughout the whole book. It’s a must read once it hits the shelves in February!

A couple’s friend comes to stay with them because of a betrayal. However, she starts to dress and act more like the wife, leading to consequences.

The prologue drew me in here but then I don’t think the suspense built up after that. Paris has other books that do build that up well, but I was missing that here.

I decided to ask for an advanced copy of this novel because of my positive history reading from B.A Paris. You jump right into the story without much introduction to any of the characters and that sort of distant feeling remained throughout. Although the distance succeeded in reflecting each character as untrustworthy, I felt as though the stakes were lowered since I didn’t care about any of the characters. The twist at the end was surprising, but waiting until the epilogue to reveal most of the information was a little tiresome. I was surprised at how long the epilogue was, I think it was in attempt to wrap each plot point into the perfect package. Overall, this was mostly an enjoyable reading experience. B.A Paris pushes and pulls us as the reader into different directions which threw me off more than once. There was a lot going on (not sure ALL of it was necessary - mainly the Charlie side plot) and the story is told through a lot of dialogue. It was entertaining, but slow paced.

The Guest is the most recent novel by B.A. Paris. Normally I find Paris' books to be relatively quick paced, but this particular book was a very slow burn. There were some parts in the second half that seemed to drag. The end however was well paced and full of surprises. Overall this was a bit of a miss for me, but fans of slow burn mysteries should definitely give it a read. B.A. Paris will still continue to be an auto read for me!

Thank you to B. A. Paris, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the ARC of The Guest. This is only my second book by Paris that I have read. I was really looking forward as the first book was captivating right from the beginning! Right off the bat, this book had me confused. There were so many different characters that it had me circling back to earlier pages multiple times. Once I finally got a good grasp of who was who, I became almost annoyed at the main couple, Their frequent worries and their annoying guest had me extremely frustrated. I did not see the ending coming, but the frustration I felt reading this book was almost enough for me to stop reading. I really enjoyed my first book by Paris, enough that I will give her another chance after this one let me down. Begrudgingly, I will rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.

Iris and Gabriel have a pretty good life. When Laure shows up on their doorstep after finding out Pierre had a child behind her back, they quickly invite her to stay as long as she needs. When her welcome seems to go on a bit too long, the tension in the house begins to grow.

OMG if I was Iris or Gabriel I would have lost my mind with Laure staying with me for so long. She just had no boundaries about the fact that she was in someone else’s home and treated it like she was staying in a hotel or something. While I did fly through this book, I found the story to be just ok. I spent most of the book enjoying the read but also kind of wondering where it was going and what the point was. The twist saved the book a bit, but in the end this was not my favorite of B.A. Paris’s works.

Absolutely amazing! B.A. Paris has done it again. I tried to figure it out. I played the story in my mind so many different ways while reading it, and I was still stunned by the ending.

Thank You to NetGalley for the eARC.

I was beyond thrilled to receive this free copy. I love B.A. Paris and read everything by her. The setting sounded picturesque and quaint set In London and the British countryside. The story sounded interesting a couple who seems to have it all. Good Friends from Paris. A daughter off in Greece working. Then a twist of fate, the husband finds a body and grapples to deal with the trauma. A close friend moves in with them as she suspects her husband is having an affair and a child with someone else and a gardener with a troubled past shows up. With secrets and fractured relationships, will everyone weather the storm and come out the other side?

It started out slow. There were so many characters to keep track of which made the story confusing. The ending was the best part. It was thrilling and suspenseful and I never guessed the ending. I don't think this was her best book, but will continue to read her.

Admittingly, this book took me a little bit to get into. There were a lot of characters to set into place but once I figured out the who’s who, I was hooked into this gripping story.

Let’s get into the characters, shall we?

Iris & Gabriel – They live in the quiet British countryside and are married with a grown daughter Beth. Beth is taking a gap year before university and exploring the world so they are currently empty nesters.

Laure & Pierre – They reside in Paris and are good friends with Iris & Gabriel. The two couples have travelled together and been in each others live for a long time. Gabriel considers Pierre his best friend.

Esme & Hugh – A new couple in the country near Iris & Gabriel. Iris & Esme become fast friends along with Hugh & Pierre.

Joseph – Joseph is a landscaper and currently staying with Esme & Hugh doing some gardening and maintenance around their new home. Joseph begins doing some work at Iris & Gabriel’s home as well.

Yes, see. A lot of characters to become familiar with.

In a nutshell, Gabriel came across a young boy who passed away in a tragic accident which has distressed him and there are secrets surrounding his death which are eating away at Gabriel. Laure has shown up at Iris & Gabriel’s home after a fight. She said Pierre confided in her he just found out he has a child, and their world is shaken. Iris can’t help but wonder what the relationship is between Esme and her gardener, Joseph. And throughout this all, no one can contact Pierre and Laure seems as if she is never going to leave Iris & Gabriel’s home.

There is a lot going on in this story, but it is easy to follow and become invested in. Everyone has a mystery around them and everyone has a secret. There is a lot to unravel, and I was absolutely blindsided by the ending. I did not see it coming at all. I am usually pretty good to pick up on things but this one got me good.

B.A. Paris is a brilliant author and I always enjoy reading their novels. This one, no exception. Huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Everyone else, mark your calendars. This one drops on February 20, 2024. Add it to your TBR list!

I have heard many positive reviews of books written by B. A. Paris in different book groups, but had never read one myself. When the opportunity came up to review an advanced readers copy, I jumped at the chance.
The Guest is more of a domestic drama mystery than it is a psychological thriller. It was a very slow build with a little too much day to day happenings and not enough “what the heck!” moments. It was a fun read, and I was sure I knew how it would end. Then, the Epilogue… My jaw hit the floor! I did NOT see that coming!
Since this was my first book by this author, I cannot compare to her previous titles, but will definitely be reading her other works soon.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
Overall rating: 3.5⭐️

My first ever b a Paris book! I was blown away! Such a quick and good read! Definitely a 5 star read for me!

At first, I was so confused trying to keep track of these random characters! But then the story was unfolding and it was pretty crazy! The characters were relatable and the story was well paced with sprinklings of secrets to be later exposed throughout the story! Then toward the end I was a little disappointed and then BAM more twists and it was incredible! Another great one from B.A. Paris!

I was really wondering how all the pieces of this puzzle were going to come together. Well, slowly, annoyingly, but surely, they did. Honestly, I spent a lot of the beginning of the book saying iterations of the following to myself “this lady is annoying” “omg I don’t care about Pierre anymore” and “get your own life.” I still don’t quite understand why Laure’s character was made to be so needy and borderline unhinged (home girl got the same haircut and wore Iris’ clothes) nor do I understand why Iris didn’t just tell her to gtfo. However, once the pace picked up, I was invested and the tea was hot. I was living for the petty drama and then the twist?! I didn’t see that one coming. Overall, I enjoyed this one. Probably not a good idea to be friends with Iris. Would recommend this book to a friend.

WOW. WOW. WOW. This book was incredible!
Iris and Gabriel arrive home from vacation to find an unexpected guest in their home. Long time friend Laure is devastated when she finds out that her husband has a daughter that she didn’t know about. A new couple moves to town with a gardener and sketchy past who finds his way wrapped up in Iris and Gabe’s life. Pierre goes missing and is later found dead, Laure is accused of murder, turns up dead, and then there’s an explosive ending. Literally.

Thank you to NetGalley, the Publishers, and B. A. Paris for an ARC of The Guest! I have loved all the previous books from B. A. Paris, but this one was a bit different. It missed the mark for me because it was a slow burn, but it made up a star at the end for the twist. I can appreciate a different style switch up, but coming in from other previous books it threw me off. The story is about Iris and Gabriel coming home from a holiday to find their friend Laure inside their home waiting for them with some shocking news. Laure has left her husband and needs a place to crash for a bit while she sorts out what is going on. Iris and Gabriel meet their new neighbors and hit it off well, but then they meet the neighbors new gardener and that stirs up everything that’s already brewing. All I can say is, hold on - the twist is worth it!

This really pains me but this book is not good. I’ve had this book on my radar for almost all of last year and was thrilled to receive an arc from Netgalley. I have previously only given BA Paris 4 and 5 stars - I’ve read three of her books prior to this. Unfortunately there was nothing to like about this and it honestly felt like someone else wrote it, not an author I’ve come to look forward to. So much that happens is just conversations about maybe doing things, having the same conversations with someone else, not really holding anyone accountable for anything and letting everything happen to everyone… I hate when a character is stuck in a situation and doesn’t do anything about it (personal peeve, not a book issue). Nothing happens and even the major thrills are a let down. I found the epilogue to be silly and I’m a little sad I didn’t just DNF. Really sorry to BA Paris because I think her other books are great. Thanks again Netgalley.

This was a slower paced book, I feel, for BA Paris. There’s are plenty of secrets and lies though to keep you entertained. Just when you think you know what’s going on, nope, wrong! I loved that! BA Paris is 100% a “go-to” author for me so I will definitely be recommending this book to others!!

I wanted to like this book and thought I would. Unfortunately, I found it boring. I did not like or connect with the characters at all. I really disliked Laure the most and was appalled at how she overstayed her welcome. I’m sure others might enjoy this read- it just wasn’t for me.