This author is such a hit or miss for me. It was really hard for me to understand who the characters were and who was with who. I don’t feel like they were fully explained well enough. This felt almost unrealistic? Especially since Laure is their friend, why not ask her to leave? Some of the things that tied the story together felt like an after thought.

I absolutely love this author and their books. Each one gets better and better for me!! I can’t wait for the next one!

I embarked on this read with high hopes, but alas, my expectations were met with mixed feelings. The story presented multiple mysteries: a couple's strained relationship due to the revelation of the husband's secret child and a young man's haunting last words. However, these enigmas failed to captivate my interest, leaving me yearning for more depth.

One obstacle that hindered my connection with the story was the characters, particularly Lauren, who, in her role as an unwelcome guest, pushed the boundaries of hospitality. Picture a guest who not only shares your bed with your spouse but also borrows your clothes, rearranges your kitchen, strolls around naked, and unceasingly discusses matters best left unspoken. As someone who identifies with the temperamental Aries sign, I found it challenging to empathize with this situation.

The plot, while promising, unfolded in a rather straightforward manner, missing the element of characters and readers jointly unraveling the mystery. Instead, the revelations felt more like they were merely happening to the characters. The epilogue introduced a twist that explained everything, but it left me yearning for a more integrated approach throughout the main storyline.

Thank you to @netgalley and @StMartinsPress for this ARC. Iris and Gabriel come back from holiday only to find her best friend Laure staying there. Laure's husband, Pierre admitted to having an affair and fathering a child. She left and sought solace at Iris' empty flat. No matter the many offers to help them reconcile, Laure won't leave. Pierre has now disappeared, presumed dead and Laure is the most likely suspect. However, the Pierre isn't the only problem. This book was ok until the twist at the end! #TheGuest #BAParis #Feb2024 #StMartinsPress

I AM SO MAD I READ THIS BOOK. BA Paris is a very hit or miss author for me, and I've had more misses than hits. The Guest was a big ole miss for me. It was boring and too long and things only came together in the epilogue. Literally, a 20 minute chapter that was tossed onto the end of the book explaining everything. It felt like an afterthought. Characters felt overall unnecessary, and it just didn't give me a good feeling. It's hard to explain, but I was not impressed.

B. A. Paris has become an automatic read for me, so I was very excited about being approved for this ARC. This was different from her last few novels, and I enjoyed it. I don’t think it is my favorite by her, but it was still a 3.5 star read for me. I felt like it was a little long winded in some areas, and some of the things that happened didn’t exactly tie in nicely, so that was unfortunate.
A quote near the end made me so mad: “…because of the values instilled in me by my upbringing” WHAT!
IYKYK. I mean, that infuriated me - so if you read this and get to that point, let me know if you feel the same way!

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What to say about this book? Well is was amazing. This was my second book by BA Paris and I loved it. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as I did. I look forward to a 3rd book from her.

This was a flop for me :/ I was honestly so annoyed with the characters that I had a hard time getting into the story. Laure is honestly so annoying I wanted to reach through the pages and kick her out myself!! Just too slow paced for me.

I am usually an avid reader of B. A. Paris's books, as they tend to draw me in with their captivating pacing and skillfully crafted mysteries that keep me on edge until the very end. However, in this particular instance, I found myself struggling to become engrossed in the mystery lines presented within this book. These storylines include a couple's ill-fated relationship following the discovery of the husband's secret child from another woman, and a man's depression stemming from the haunting last words of an 18-year-old who vindictively declared he would never forgive his mother.

Regrettably, these mystery elements failed to capture my interest. Furthermore, I had difficulty connecting with the characters, particularly Lauren, who could be considered the most unwelcome guest one could imagine. Picture a friend who not only occupies your shared bed with your spouse, but also dons your clothes, rearranges your kitchen, nonchalantly strolls around naked in various rooms, and incessantly discusses her husband's affair and secret love child. As a temperamental Aries woman, I must confess that I, too, might be inclined to dispatch Lauren to Paris in a cargo plane or FedEx box, bearing the label "not fragile, mostly unsplashable."

This one was surprisingly good. At first I was worried it was gonna be boring. Iris’ character was getting on my nerves so much but the epilogue was the best part! I did not expect the twists at all. So I ended up really liking it. I highly recommend it! Thank you so much for the ARC!! 🫶🏻

I wanted to like this book more than I did. It was a bit straightforward in terms of the plot and it didn't feel like the reader or characters were trying to figure out the mystery - but that it was simply happening to them. The epilogue containing the twist simply explained it all away, when that twist and clues should have been integrated into the main story, not just written as a Gotcha! at the end.

B.A. Paris can do no wrong! Another perfect thriller wrapped up in a bow. The storytelling was magnificent, and I literally could not put it down. Five huge stars and one of my best reads of 2023!

Thank you to the author, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this ARC in return for an honest review.

The Guest is a good psychological thriller about a couple, their daughter, and their friends. Many good twists and turns keep you guessing right to the very end.

B.A Paris has been a favorite of mine so I was excited to be given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley! I loved the beginning of this book when the two main characters arrived home to find an unexpected houseguest with no departure date known. I enjoyed the friction between the women.. not wanting your friend to stay any longer but trying to understand her unfortunate marital situation. It wasn't long before drama, lies and deceit unravel between the friends and neighborhood.
It wasn't my favorite by this author however the twists and turns kept me reading to uncover the truth.
Thanks again Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was disappointed with this book. It took me forever to get interested in reading it. The story line dragged. It was predictable and obvious that the author was trying to make you believe otherwise. I wouldn't recommend this book. This is definitely not the best work by this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and netgalley for this advanced copy. I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

Firstly, I would like to thank NetGalley, Barnes and Noble and the books author, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are that of my own and have not been influenced by other opinions or reviews.

Another win for BA Paris, her skill for a suspense filled read is like no other. Another enthralling, mind blowing read by the master of Physiological thrillers!!

Engaging story that kept me on my toes! It was easy to get attached to the characters and emerged in the story. I will definitely be reading more from this author!

I love reading B.A. Paris books and this one did not disappoint! It was a twisty psychological thriller that will hold you in suspense from the beginning until the last page of the book.
When Laure, a family friend, comes to stay with Iris and her husband then extended stay begins to add more turmoil to their marriage. Secrets and lies from the past and present will draw you in keeping you on the edge of your seat. I kept say9ing to myself that I would read for only five more minutes because I couldn't put down the book. The ending alone is such a shock for that alone you need to read this asap.

B.A. Paris is a must-read author for me and this one did not disappoint. It is twisty and can drag at times as there are a lot of characters and a variety of subplots, but the end will leave you stunned. I can definitely recommend it for those who enjoy psychological or domestic thrillers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

I did not expect this ending! I didn’t get into the book into 60 or 70% but once I hit there I couldn’t put it down! Great twist at the end!