I was engrossed in this domestic drama at the beginning, Iris and Gabriel’s friend Laure unexpectedly comes to stay with them after a massive disagreement with her husband. There was quite a bit of mystery and drama, but I quickly tired of Iris’ repetitive thoughts, she takes zero action. It was a loop of Iris complaining about Laure, complaining to Gabriel about Laure, then deciding that Laure was having a tough time and pretending to ignore the behaviour instead of addressing it. Gabriel witnessed the death of a teen, though it was a traumatic event, it was on loop as well. Every other page, he mentioned that he had witnessed it and couldn’t work through his feelings.
More characters were introduced, just as I was getting antsy for something to happen, I really thought something wild was going with them. I had some theories about Laure’s husband, as he was never available by phone or text. While it was a slow burn book, I didn’t stop reading, something has to be said about that. Then the last quarter things all start to fall in place, people were dying all over the place and I was pleasantly shocked. If you like a good slow burn, this whodunit is for you

Another great read by B.A. Paris. I recently found this author and continue to devour all her titles. Does not disappoint with amazing character, great mystery plot with a never will guess ending!

This one left me guessing until the very end. Even after the twist was exposed you had to go back and think about how it was all done. I really enjoyed the author walking us through how it all happened and tying it up nicely. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a quick paced, gripping domestic thriller.

This book was interesting. There was so much going on and so many dead bodies, I definitely had to keep listening to some parts a couple times. Overall, was a good book. I love the twists this author always manages to pull off!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and B.A.Paris for this book!

I flew through this book and really enjoyed it. Everything that I thought would happened didn't and the ending was truly a surprise and shock! The characters are well developed and the book is very well written.

The audio reader/performer was awesome and did a great job!

The Guest was an interesting ride! Iris and her husband Gabriel are surprised when their friend Laure shows up on their doorstep after a major falling out with her husband. She stays with them - for an extended period of time. Add in new neighbors and the drama begins. This was an overall slow-paced mystery that was well written and grew in intensity as we went along. I loved 90% of this book. However, the ending was a failure for me. Everything that is built up to throughout the book is wrapped up in the epilogue and the twist is unrealistic and completely out of the blue. This ended up being a let down for me, after enjoying the majority of the book.

Reading Between the Wines book review #6/130 for 2024:
Rating: 4 🍷 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book: The Guest
Author: B.A. Paris
RELEASES on February 20, 2024

Sipping thoughts: I always enjoy Paris’s books and this book was not any different. After getting to the twist, I don’t see how I didn’t see it from the very beginning. There are some twists that are revealed that most thriller readers will guess because of just being great thriller sleuths but I definitely missed something that was right under my nose. One thing I really liked about this book was the character development and that fact there was not any real likable characters so you just didn’t know what to expect.

Cheers and thank you to @MacmillanAudio, @StMartinsPress, and @Netgalley for an advanced copy of @TheGuest.

#TheGuest #BAParis #MacmillanAudio #StMartinsPress #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers #GeneralFictionAdult

Thanks to NetGalley i listened to an ARC of the audiobook. I thought the narration was great and would recommend the audio version. The story was a good one overall, but i found it a bit long winded. i felt there was a lot of “extra” in the book. Despite that, the twists and turns were entertaining and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. Still would recommend


https://ewww.goodreads.com/book/show/65213277

Thanks to NetGalley i listened to an ARC of the audiobook. I thought the narration was great and would recommend the audio version. The story was a good one overall, but i found it a bit long winded. i felt there was a lot of “extra” in the book. Despite that, the twists and turns were entertaining and I was pleasantly surprised by the ending. Still would recommend

🎧The Guest by B.A. Paris: A slow burn psychological thriller with a few twists and a shocking ending. At some point, I’m probably going to need to admit that I’m NOT a super sleuth. 🕵️‍♀️ Just when I thought I had it figured out, there was a twist that completely shocked me.

The novel features a married British couple, Iris and Gabriel, who allow their friend, Laure, into their home when her marriage starts to crumble. Laure is the houseguest from hell and quickly overstays her welcome. When the bodies start to build up, all of the ancillary characters seem suspect.

The audio version was especially well done, thanks to the British narrator with a soothing voice who was able to provide all of the characters voices in a convincing way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillanAudio for this gifted audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Pub Date: 2/20/24

I recently had the opportunity to delve into an advanced copy of "The Guest" by B.A. Paris, and I can confidently say that it deserves a solid 5-star rating. The narrative took me on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride of suspense, keeping me constantly guessing and eagerly turning the pages.

From the mysterious disappearance of Pierre to unraveling Laure's enigmatic motives and the perplexing actions of the gardener, I found myself constantly trying to make sense of it throughout the entire journey. What struck me the most was the author's skill in crafting a narrative that kept me engaged from beginning to end. I found myself unable to pause, and I completed the entire book in one gripping sitting.

B.A. Paris masterfully manipulates the reader's expectations, leading them to believe they have everything figured out multiple times, only to deliver shocking twists that left me gasping. The suspenseful atmosphere crafted by the author is truly captivating, keeping me on the edge of my seat and eager to uncover the truth.

One aspect I particularly appreciated was the meticulous way in which the author tied up all loose ends in the concluding chapters. There were no lingering questions or unresolved plot lines, providing a satisfying resolution to the intricate web of mystery and intrigue woven throughout the story.
The central mystery of the plot kept me engaged, constantly trying to piece together the puzzle. The incorporation of red herrings, particularly concerning Laure's prolonged stay, added a layer of complexity that heightened the overall suspense.

In essence, "The Guest" is a brilliant thriller that skillfully intertwines elements of mystery, suspicion, and murder. If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing until the very end, this book is a must-read. B.A. Paris has created a captivating narrative that will thoroughly entertain you and leave you craving more.

Thank you to NetGalley, B.A Paris, and S.t Martin's Press for the ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in exchange for my honest review. The book is set to be released on February 20, 2024.

As a fan of B,A, Paris her novels never disappoint. I always find a good story and lots of twists and turns. This story isn't any different. We have a story of friends who find themselves forced against the wall when a secret could be revealed. However when a murder happens anyone could've done it, but who was it? I was stuck to the pages til the very end to find out what happened.

The Guest by B.A. Paris took me by surprise! I like the aspects of mystery and the marriage of Iris and Gabriel. I also like how everything entwines in a way I was not expecting. The two things I don't appreciate are the lack of spine Iris has (it is your house!) and the epilogue. It is almost an hour long and overexplains how everything went down. It takes away from the cleverness behind the actions. I deducted a star for the above and the narration.

Emily Joyce is an okay narrator. Her rhythm is inconsistent; sometimes I followed along perfectly, other times she spoke so fast that I didn't have time to place the names.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC.

3.5⭐️ Overall, I enjoyed this novel by B.A. Paris. The overall pace was a little slow for my liking, but nonetheless, I think that the story line and character development were great. And I closed the book without any unanswered questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

To start off I absolutely love B.A Paris, I have read numerous book of hers over the years, my personal favourite being Behind Closed Doors. But I’ll say I was a bit scared starting it, I saw numerous reviews negatively commenting on the pacing of the book, and I wanted to love this book!

I don’t know if it’s because I listened to the audiobook, but how the voice actor portrayed each character was phenomenal (and I was a bit nervous upon hearing it was in a British dialect). She did an amazing job in bringing these characters to light.

Throughout the entire book my mind was reeling, trying to figure it out before the end of the book revealed the big plot twist, and every time I though I had it… NOPE. Man, the ending of this book was a page turner, I had absolutely no idea it would end up this way and I’m very happy for it, even though I actively try to spoil the endings for myself, I’d be disappointed if I actually did.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and St Martin’s Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

As I was reading this one I was so engrossed that I was thinking it would probably be a 5-star read for me. Then the prologue happened. IYKYK!
Well spun whodunnit story by a favorite author.

I just reviewed The Guest by B.A. Paris. #NetGalley

The plot was complex and nicely woven together throughout this novel. I was hoping for more twists or complexity with the character of the guest herself. The audiobook was well done.

#murdermysteryaffairs

This book ended up being a very pleasant surprise! When I first started reading this book, I will admit that I did have trouble keeping up with all the different names/characters. There aren't that many characters, but there are three main couples that are dealt with. Two of the couples, Iris & Gabriel, and Laure & Pierre are our two main couples of focus. Then we have the new neighbors who moved into the village, Esme & Hugh (okay- got it?). Once I had everybody situated, this book was smooth sailing...
This story starts off with Laure being an uninvited houseguest at Iris and Gabriel's home. Laure and her husband Pierre are taking some time away from each other, and Laure is very distraught and needy. What should have only been a three week stay turns into much longer (Umm- that's when I would have put my foot down and told her to go, but whatever).
Also, during Laure's stay with Iris and Gabriel, we find that Gabriel is going through some personal crisis of his own. There have been some deaths in his family and in the community, and he has had to take some time off to grieve.
I wasn't sure where this story was going at first, and it sure did move in a bunch of directions! The Epilogue of this story also made my head spin as I did not see any of that coming!! This story played out very well. With that, I do recommend reading this as I think this has some nice twists that many readers will enjoy!

The Guest by B.A. Paris - I love books by B.A. Paris! This book did not disappoint. The ending was everything! Loved this book! The plot, the characters - all of it! Thanks NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC!

I loved this story! The characters were engaging and I loved the way the author dropped hints throughout the story to build to a mostly satisfying conclusion. The epilogue wrapped up some loose ends, but it was almost too much information - might have been better if it was hinted at more throughout the story instead of info dumped at the end. But it didn’t detract overall from enjoying this suspenseful thriller.

Wow, was not expecting that ending!! Just when you thought you had it figured out another surprise would throw you for a loop.