The story never fully captivated me. I was excited for another BA Paris book, but it let me down. I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t a love like I anticipated. I think it was because it took so long for me to get into the story.

I didn't find any of the characters likable, the pacing was slow to the point that I was able to put my kindle down and not think about it again until I knew I needed to force myself through it. That's never a good sign when reading a book but especially for a thriller.

Unfortunately this is a no for me.

I've become an avid fan of this author, deeply appreciating their unique writing style that manages to capture and hold my attention. The narrative, however, delves into themes that didn't particularly resonate with me, notably the exploration of secrets and the involvement of children. These aspects, while well-executed, didn't personally engage my interests, leaving me with a somewhat melancholic feeling.

Despite these thematic nuances, it's crucial to acknowledge the inherent quality of the story. The plot unfolds in a manner that is anything but mundane, and the author's storytelling prowess shines through. The emotional weight of the narrative, though not entirely relatable for me, adds a layer of complexity that might strongly resonate with a different audience.

What struck me as less appealing might, in fact, be the very elements that draw other readers in. The emotional depth and intricate storytelling might be appreciated by those who aren't sensitive to the particular themes that gave me pause. It's a testament to the author's skill that the narrative can evoke such varied responses.

In conclusion, while the story may not align with my personal preferences and left me feeling a bit somber, I recognize its merits and potential appeal to a broader readership. This novel is far from boring and is likely to find a place in the hearts of those who aren't hindered by the themes that gave me pause.

Absolutely loved this book. A definite page turner and one of my top reads. B. A Paris is one of my favorite authors. 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book except it was kind of a slow burn.

I wanted to stay with it because B.A Paris is one of my favorite authors!

If you stay with this book it does pick up! Most of the characters are very unlikable but I think that was the intention!

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

I've loved a few BA Paris books but found this one very hard to get into. Did not end up finishing unfortunately. I'm a big mood reader and think I was just not in the mood for this book. May look at reading it again in the future.

The ending of this book definitely made up for how slow paced it was. I felt like the storyline between Iris, Gabriel, Pierre, and Laure would have been enough for the book, so the whole storyline with Charlie seemed like a bit of an odd filler. I still enjoyed how it wrapped up but I think less time could’ve been spent on Gabriel/Charlie and more on Pierre/Laure. It felt like an unnecessary distraction. Overall this one was solid and did have me trying to put all the pieces together throughout the book.

😳😳 Me after reading the epilogue to this book. Wowsa! I didn’t see it coming. The book is a bit of a slow burn but it’s worth sticking it out to the end. I also found a few of the characters to be annoying (Laure especially) but I think you were supposed to be annoyed with her, so mission accomplished. 🫡 Overall, if you enjoy a slow burning domestic thriller then you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, St, Martins Press & B.A. Paris!

When Iris & Gabriel return from vacation to find their friend Laure has essentially moved into their home they're not overly concerned. After all, Iris & Gabriel sometimes use Laure & her husband Pierre's Parisian home while they are away, it's something the couples have become quite used to.... except this time, Laure isn't leaving any time soon.

I am so torn about this book that it took me two days to write my review. The description of this book, essentially a house guest that won't leave and starts displaying some very 'Single White Female' type behaviors, seemed intriguing. I imagined how much tension could come from a situation where someone you are close with won't leave. And for a little bit, it seemed like that was the way the book was going. Laure displays increasingly odd behavior..... but then nothing happens for the entire middle of the book. The characters, plus a random (or not?) landscaper as well as a neighbor couple, interact with each other in increasingly bizarre ways. Even about 80% of the way in I truly had no idea where this book was going.

The epilogue was absolutely shocking and I did not see it coming at all. I think the author did an awesome job of giving you only certain secondhand information so that you don't guess the ending. and I sat there enthralled as the epilogue unfolded. I generally do not like a wrap-up tell-all epilogue, but I truly enjoyed this one and could not put it down. I just sat there in my office for several minutes after it ended. I'm not 100% sure the end overrides the dragged-out middle, but ultimately I have to conclude it does. Definitely give this one a go, but only if you're willing to stick it out to the end!

I absolutely devoured this book. I could not put it down! I will say, there is a lot of "extra" that made me constantly say "how is this relevant!?"...but I am not one to let extra dialogue stand in the way of my enjoyment of an immensely intriguing plot.

Now. The Guest. Which guest!? Iris and Gabriel have their long time friend of theirs staying with them. She is having marital issues and is definitely overstaying her welcome (if you have ever had a guest like this, like I have, you will 100% relate). Esme and her hubby also have a guest staying with them....a recovering alcoholic who has escaped to their family home to do some work and stay on the wagon.

Everyone is dealing with their own drama. And then it's tragedy on tragedy on tragedy. Enjoy this ride while you wait for answers! While everything seems to be wrapped up in a nice clean bow by the end.....is it really?

Thank you to SMP, NetGalley, and B.A. Paris for the advanced copy! This book is definitely TBR worthy.

I’ve read and loved every B.A. Paris book, and this was no exception. I was so excited to get approved for this ARC!

B.A. Paris does an amazing job of luring you into the story almost instantly. She brings in just enough characters for you to be able to keep track of them all and leave you wondering who’s to blame. I had my theories throughout the book, and as always, they were incorrect🤣I got to 90% through and still had no idea how she was going to wrap it all up. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite book of hers, but it was definitely a good one that I think you’ll enjoy reading😊

This is a story of an idyllic happy home and just how quickly things can go to pot. Iris and Gabriel have built a solid and happy home with their daughter, Beth, who is in Greece volunteering at a dog shelter.
Gabriel is on an early morning run and discovers a former student, 18-year-old Charlie, who has fallen into an old limestone quarry. He’s seriously injured, but can mutter a few words before death. Words that are filled with anger and blame. It crushed Gabriel with guilt. He’s presented with a moral dilemma he’s not prepared for. We’ll label this scene the foreshadowing because everything after this point goes downhill quickly.
Laure, a long-time friend, suddenly shows up, angry and distraught. She’s just learned that her husband Pierre has a child out of wedlock. She overstays her welcome quickly, wearing Iris’s clothes, bemoaning her marriage, then worst of all, flirting with the gardener, a man of a very questionable past.
Through all of this, Iris tries to maintain some level of normalcy. She meets their new neighbors, who are a breath of fresh air and a break for everyone’s tension. But Pierre is ignoring his wife, refusing to meet with Gabriel, and Charlie’s mother is asking to meet with Gabriel to discuss Charlie’s last few minutes of life.
What was once idyllic has now become a house of doom and gloom. And through it all, Iris does what is needed to maintain a sense of normalcy. Ignoring all the surrounding calamities, she’s determined to keep her home safe and happy for her family. But at what costs?
Thanks so much to St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The publishing date is February 20, 2024.

The houseguest who never leaves can really be a nightmare and that’s what B.. A. Paris presents in The Guest. Everyone has a secret. Everyone lies. The reader knows some of the truth, but not until The Epilogue is all revealed. I’m not a fan of a wrap up ending, but in this case it was essential.

Pages 293

Curiosity Killed the Cat !!🐈‍⬛

This Book has :

* Drama
* Cringe
* Unlikeable Characters
* Murder
* Strange Friendships
* Surprise Ending

This story centres around Iris & Gabriel navigating through a difficult time when Gabriel is the last one to see a young boy Charlie alive and hears his last dying words .

These words haunt Gabriel heading in to a sort of depression which is affecting their marriage.
When they arrive home after being away for two weeks , they find they have a “ House Guest “ who over welcomes their stay .

Their friend Laure states she is having marital problems with a bomb her husband Pierre just dropped on her .

As the saga continues I found myself as a reader yelling at the pages to tell the characters quite assuming and speculating just come out and ASK the questions!!!

There was so many weak moments from these characters and found them to be hypocrites at times and the story dragged on for me ….but I am glad I stuck around because the ending totally caught me off guard and was a nice surprise 😮

I really think fans of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife , Behind Closed Doors and All the Girls are So Nice Here will enjoy this read .

Not my favorite read but this is just my opinion so don’t let my opinion from stop you from reading this novel from a great author !!

Thank you 🙏 to NetGalley & St.Martins Press for my first advanced digital readers copy to share with me in exchange for my review !!

3.5/5 for this one rounded up for goodreads

So the trouble with reading books by authors, who happened to hold the spot for one of my favorite books (Behind Closed Doors) is that they set the bar so very high. So while this is a 3.5 for me trust me that’s not a bad thing.

This book was packed with unlikable characters, which worked well as I don’t think they were supposed to be very likable.

For a good part of the book I was like OK let’s see where this is going. It was a bit repetitive at times, but came together nicely in the end.

I liked how the author set the scene for the big reveal towards the end. It was atmospheric and you could really get that vibe of why things went the way they did and how people got caught up.

I was surprised that the epilogue was so long. I almost feel like the epilogue could’ve been included into the main text of the story.

For me epilogues, add extra something to the story to tie everything up nicely or to leave you with that extra satisfied feeling. The epilogue here was just so long I think that a lot of that could’ve been included in the bulk of the book rather than the epilogue…and the and the main part of the book could’ve been condensed a bit.

One thing, I think we can all agree on is that Laure was probably the most annoying character of all.

Looking forward to her next book.

B.A. Paris is one of my auto-buy authors. She knows how to write a domestic thriller! I was so excited to get my hands on her upcoming release. The Guest didn’t end up being my favorite thriller from Paris because it is an extremely slow burn. You literally don’t get answers until the very final pages, but if you can be patient, the ending is explosive. I think thriller fans of the unreliable narrator trope will enjoy this one.

I'm not going to lie, I didn't see the point of this book. I felt it lacked a plot, had too many characters, and wasn't what I was expecting from this author. I love B.A. Paris. I love the thrilling twisters, but this just felt like TV drama.
I never felt like I got in the book.
Maybe this is someone else's cup of tea, but it isn't mine.
I hope this review helps. Thank you for the opportunity. Happy Reading and Blessed Be.
Lily Ashtree

Strangely addicting.
Iris and Gabriel may be living in the idyllic countryside, but their lives are about to take a tumultuous turn.
Opening their front door, the couple are shocked to find a woman who appears to have made herself quite at home while Iris and Gabriel were away. As it turns out, it's their long-time friend Laure from France. Recently having left her husband, she was desperate and needed a warm, inviting home to hideaway. Now weeks have turned into months and it seems Laure has no intention of moving on anytime soon.
I can't say that I liked any of the characters involved. They all became mildly annoying.
But at the same time I couldn't step away from this book, picking it up any time I had a spare moment.
Loved the twist at the end!

This was a bit slow burning to start, but it did pick up. It is a true psychological thriller involving a couple and their married friends. Not sure that I am happy with this book as it is my first read by B.A. Paris and everyone raves about how good the books are; I am just hoping this is an outlier to her novels. I plan to read more because I did enjoy the plot twists with this one and think that a lot of thriller readers will enjoy it also!

The story itself is a solid thriller. There were bits that were predictable but of course the ending was a treat but expected.