I was immediately drawn into the lives of the characters. The unfolding twists and turns left me constantly guessing, akin to navigating through a captivating maze with unexpected paths. Just as I thought I had it figured out, the story led me down an entirely new rabbit hole. In classic B. A. Paris style, the book had me completely engrossed. It was an addictive read that I simply couldn't tear myself away from, craving to uncover what was to come next. The characters, Iris and Gabriel, exuded an unwavering patience that truly resonated with me. The delicate balance of their character traits was precisely what I find compelling. This book was at the top of my reading list, and it exceeded my highest expectations. It was a truly immersive experience, particularly when I enjoyed the audiobook version. The narrator's performance was exceptional, elevating the storytelling to the highest level.

Behind Closed Doors is a favorite but the other author’s books haven’t lived up to that one. I was excited to read this one in hopes it would be as good as Behind Closed Doors and it didn’t disappoint! Although a little drawn out in day to day conversations at time and the guest was super annoying, still an addicting read.

Once I had the three main couples figured out, it was an easy listen. A domestic drama with intertwined characters left wondering who is lying and what each is trying to hide. At first I thought I had it figured out but as the story intertwined I thought there was no way.

The epilogue made the book. Turns out I was right but the last chapter still left my jaw dropped.

This has been posted to Goodreads.

Personally, this was just meh and ultimately fell flat for me. I found all the characters to be so unlikeable I didn’t care about the plot. I feel like once we got answers, the story continued when it could’ve ended. I didn’t find this thrilling, but more drama-focused with mystery elements. It wasn't a bad read, just not my favorite.

I'd give this a try if you’re looking for:
-a quick read
-easy-to-follow audio
-unlikeable characters
-drama within friendships/relationships

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

The pacing wasn't great. Not my favorite book by this author. Too many different characters. It was hard to get engrossed in the book.

When iris and Gabriel arrive home from a holiday they are shocked to find Laure, one of their closest friends has made herself at home; sleeping in their bed and even wearing Iris’s clothes. Her husband Pierre has confessed of an affair and she let him. Secrets unravel and danger is just around the corner.

This super thriller was made complete by the narrators talent to and edge and anxiety to her voice at just the right moment. B. A. Paris has done it again! Leaving you on the edge of your seat waiting to find out if you solved the puzzle just to know you were wrong again. If you pick this up you definitely will not want to put it down until you are finished.

I have loved so many of B.A. Paris’s books , but this one missed the mark for me. Now, I did enjoy the story, but unfortunately I felt like it was too predictable. I had it figured out within just a few pages into chapter one. So the book felt like it dragged on for me just to find out what I already knew.

Again, I did enjoy the book and the characters but the payoff was lacking for me. I think I have just read too many thrillers and am very hard to shock anymore.

I do feel like someone new to thrillers will be absolutely MIND BLOWN by the epilogue.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This audiobook was so well done! I loved the narrator. Her accents and character narrations made this book the easiest to listen to! The story was absolutely fantastic! If you’re a fan of domestic thrillers like me, then this is a must read. I simply did not want it to end, but I also could not wait for that final reveal, and let me tell you… I was shocked. This was the epitome of a reliable narrator and I held onto Iris’s every word. I honestly just wanted to be her friend, I loved how she was written which makes the book in and of itself, brilliant!
A very easy 5 stars for me. I have read several of BA Paris’s books and this is a new favorite to add to my list.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and MacMillian Audio for my #gift ALC!

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.

3.5 stars

I have enjoyed B.A. Paris’ novels and hers will be ones I will pick up, but her last few have been less than enjoyable for me. I have also listened to those in audiobook format, so at this point I think her books I need to actually read versus listen to get everything I need to from the book and full enjoyment. This is no fault of the narrator, It just seems that Paris’ books I need to read.

The Guest is her newest novel coming out on February 20th, 2024. It is an extremely slow burn that shows how secrets and lies can affect everything and everyone. I did have trouble keeping the characters straight, even though it is not a huge cast of characters. I was totally engrossed in the story with the death and final words of one character given to another who decides to keep them secret from the mother. The rest I was not interested in. Once the body count started around 55% in is when the story got moving for me. There was so much buildup, but it was needed!

The chapters are short, but then when the novel is over we have the epilogue and that was almost an hour long! And there is where the ending of the novel comes together in an unexpected way, so I gave an extra half star to my rating for it.

I will have to try and read a physical copy of The Guest at some point because I know I missed so much with the audiobook in this case. I might even enjoy it better that second time around. Any future B.A. Paris books will be read!

Many thanks to the publisher Macmillan Audio for granting me an alc!

I was beyond thrilled to receive this free digital audio 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?

I enjoyed the narrator. Her having a British accent added to the ambience. She did try different voices for the characters, but there were so many characters to keep track of. The narrator read at the perfect speed, was articulate, and had a beautiful voice. I would listen to her again.

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.

Not my favorite book by this author. The narrator was enjoyable, but the end of chapters often felt abrupt and disconnected. I felt myself disengaging the las 1/3 of the book and ready for it to wrap up. Give this one 3.5 stars because the ending brought it back together and wrapped it up nicely. Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC of this audiobook.

Whew goodness! The first half (about 40%) of this thriller was terribly slow and frustrating…I found myself talking out loud. The houseguest was truly grinding my gears to no end! At one point, I had to fight the urge to mark the book as DNF. However, I opted to keep pushing though since it was an audiobook and could increase the narration speed.

Around the 40-45% mark, things finally pick up and I was hooked until the end. The ending did not disappoint either and once finished, I was glad to have stuck around. Hahaha! There was so much drama and nosey people…I often asked myself “…but why, why do you [character name] care so much?” And were these really secrets and lies….or should people just mind their business 🤷‍♀️

Overall, this was a good read…I’d recommend to others with the caveat of it being a slowburn.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted ARC (audiobook)…as all opinions are my own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

definitely 4.5!!!!!!!! This was another great one from BA Paris.

Wish I had a friend to discuss this with! The Guest definitely will not disappoint! I probably should have given 5 starts.
Great storyline.. great ending!!!!

The Guest, by B.A. Paris. Wow, wow, wow! I was glued to my seat! This story had me so intrigued from the beginning to the Mind blowing end! I highly recommend this fantastic audio book!

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.

Wow- this was a twist I didn’t see coming. Which I do always appreciate in a thriller book. While I liked the twist at the ending this wasn’t my favorite BA Paris book. One thing I do like about all BA Paris books are the short chapters and face pace timeline. I would give this one a 3.5 out of 5 I just wanted more during the book and not everything in the ending. The narration was amazing though!

B.A. Paris' books are a bit hit or miss for me, but I enjoyed this one quite a bit more than other recent endeavors. The story unfolded slowly, but it held my attention and there were certainly a number of twists I did not see coming. Recommended!

I can't imagine returning home from a vacation to an unexpected houseguest, even if it was a dear friend. B.A. Paris did a great job of creating an unsettling atmosphere and a cast of questionable characters.

For me, this book felt slow, mostly because I didn't really connect with the characters or care about the intrigue. It felt preposterous to have so many characters die without anyone connecting the dots. The ending/twist didn't feel shocking to me and just made me dislike/disconnect with the main characters more.

I had access to this book in audio and digital format, and found myself switching back and forth between the two. The narrator spoke in a very formal-sounding, crisp accent, which to my American ears made it sound like this was not a modern story set in suburban England...but that could just be me. Once I was firmly oriented to the setting and story, I was able to get past it.

Thanks to NetGalley for early access in exchange for my honest review.

I binged straight through this audiobook in under 24hrs right after Christmas. I have been struggling with how to write this review to exclude any/all spoilers. So I'm keeping this review short and sweet to ensure it stays spoiler free.

This psychological thriller held my attention and kept me guessing immediately. The story is told through Iris's point of view. Iris lives with her huband in an English countryside and they have a young-adult daughter living/working in Greece. Iris and Gabriel return home one evening to find their friend Laure hiding away in their home and learn Laure has temporarily left her husband. The two couples have their own secrets and no one is interested in sharing except Laure's husband (which caused the split). Laure's behavior is quite questionable throughout. A neighbor couple and their gardener are also interwoven, creating more layers of secrets and truths to uncover. As the plot unfolds, and the reader gets the full picture, I was pleasantly surprised and excited by all the revelations!

Another fantastic novel by B.A. Paris!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Guest by B.A. Paris is a psychological thriller that follows the story of Lissa, a woman who is invited to stay at her best friend’s family home in the Scottish Highlands. The book is a gripping tale of secrets, lies, and betrayal that will keep you guessing until the very end. Paris masterfully weaves together multiple timelines and perspectives to create a complex and suspenseful plot that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the setting is described in vivid detail, making it easy to imagine yourself in the Scottish countryside. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a touch of mystery and intrigue, then The Guest is a must-read