Well...this was emotional and so not what I expected read from this author. I had read Behind Closed Doors, and while it was a gripping read, it so bothered me, and would call it a favorite.

This book, was so different, I couldn’t put it down. The title and cover are perfect for this storyline, and would have bought the book on the jacket write-up alone. I also, wanted to see how this author would spin the tale. Although, I know, for a fact that neither I or my husband would have handled the situations the way Adam or Livia did. I gave my husband a brief synopsis of the story, and we both knew what the other would do. As I was reading this story, so many questions and concerns entered my head. Shock. Surprise. Why are some secrets being kept? How could they do that? But as the story evolved, I felt the author did a great job of making the reader see both Adam and Livia‘s sides of the story, whether we agreed or disagreed.

To say anything more about this book would be to give too much away. I’ll sum it up saying it’s about family, love, protection, disappointment and acceptance, moving thru and moving past, and most of all forgiveness of each other and self.

Thanks to B.A. Paris, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

This may be slightly less suspenseful than some of the other B.A. Paris books, but I thought it was more thought provoking. I don't think I would've made the same decisions as the characters here, but it was interesting (and somewhat understandable) to see how our best intentions to protect our loved ones can quickly spin out of control. Very quick read.

This book was just okay for me. Maybe my expectations were too high, but the big reveal of secrets at the end was a letdown. I was expecting this to be more of a thriller, but I just found it so depressing. For as much of a deal as the parents both made about Marnie, I expected her to play a bigger role in the book. I had a hard time connecting to the characters. For the majority of the book I just found my self feeling stressed, uneasy, and wishing it was over so I could move on to something else. It wasn't the worst book ever, but I just expected so much more. It was disappointing.

I think I've read all but one or two of B.A. Paris books. I really enjoy her writing and she is my go to author for a good read. This book is one of my favorites. Once I started reading I didn't want to stop.
The setting of the entire story revolves around one day, a planned 40th birthday party for Livia. The story is dialog between Livia and her husband Adam and their inner most thoughts and feeling about the unfolding of the day, as past and present secrets collide. They don't communicate these feelings or their secrets to each other until the very end. But that just made we want to keep reading to find out the truth.Their past life and that of their two children and closest friends is slowly revealed and unfolds. Excellent build up of the story. It’s a well thought out story, with good solid writing. Other reviewers have said they thought it was a boring, and were angry the couple didn't communicate their thoughts... but I disagree. Yes it was a little too long and I found myself wanting to skip pages too, so I marked one star off for that. There was a satisfying ending that tied up the story.
I read the kindle version, and purchased the audible version as well, so when I couldn’t read I could listen. Definitely one credit worthy. The narrators did a perfect job and made it great listening experience. The only thing I would of liked to see was actual chapter numbers, along with the the name and time of each chapter. It would of made it easier for me to jump between the book and audible version, since I couldn’t sync the two different reading devices.
I highly recommend this book or audible version to anyone who enjoys a slow burning mystery/suspense genre.
* A special thank you to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for the advanced readers copy, in exchange for my honest review.*

Another winner from B.A. Paris, but a little different from previous thrillers. It is still fast-moving, twisty, and very compelling. I couldn’t put it down until I finished! It portrays a nice normal family preparing for a huge 40th birthday party for Livia, the mother of the family. Livia came off as very self-absorbed in throwing this big party for herself to make up for the wedding she never had, but her 20 year estrangement from her parents had contributed to those issues. Otherwise, she seemed perfectly nice, and the father, Adam, had a few small issues of his own. They each have a secret that they are struggling to keep, and the suspense mounts inexorably as you read. No spoilers - you really need to read it for yourself!

Thanks for Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Book 164 towards my goal of 280! 4/5 stars for this heavy family drama! Reading some of BAs previous books, I went in blind with this one. Thought I was getting another thriller novel but instead got this hard hitting read. Highly recommend!

Amazing! Just absolutely amazing! B.A. Paris writes yet another fantastic book. I can’t recommend her enough.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Livia has saved 20 years for a fabulous 40th birthday party, and the time has finally arrived. Her son is working on his Master’s and her daughter is spending her first year of college in Hong Kong. Their lives seem ideal. But everything is not as it seems, and when Marnie collaborated with her dad to fly home as a surprise for her mother’s party, all manner of secrets and lies come out. Relationships are tested and people review their true natures. I didn’t see this as a traditional thriller. There’s no murderer or kidnapper whose identity needs to be discovered so the day can be saved. But I was still riveted. And it’s still thrilling.

Yet another great book from a great author! This is my second book of hers and I will definitely be catching up with her precious books and look forward to more to come. This was a very emotional story that had me in tears for way too many chapters.

Every time I read a book by B. A. Paris, I hope I will enjoy it half as much as I enjoyed "Behind Closed Doors." It had me hooked from beginning to end. Unfortunately, none of the subsequent books released by the author have been enjoyable. "The Dilemma" is another disappointment. It starts with a secret that the wife is hiding from her husband about their daughter. As the story progresses, we learn that the husband is hiding something, too. Unfortunately, the conclusion to what began as an interesting premise is anticlimatic and unrealistic. The story is also drawn out and the characters' actions are not believable. Maybe lightning only struck once with this author.

I went into this one thinking it was going to be a thriller (I didn't read the synopsis before heading in) and although it wasn't what I was expecting I didn't hate it. Quite the opposite actually. Loved this family drama and all of the secrets that continue to unravel. What's next B. A.?

The Dilemma is properly named. This story leaves you feeling alarmed, anxious, hesitant, and doubtful all the synonyms for a dilemma. Livia and Adam are to celebrate Livia's long-planned and extravagant 40th birthday. Secrets on both their parts' are keeping them from truly enjoying the party. As the story unfolds by the hour the drama heightens. Neither knows what the other is dealing with. The readers are privy to the couples' thoughts since the story is told from both points of view. Throughout The Dilemma, they assume they know what each other's reactions would be to their news. As you read, you assume you know what you would do, but the real truth seems to be who knows what anyone would do or how anyone would react. The true complexities of any situation may not be apparent, because one individual usually doesn't have all the facts. B.A. Paris created true anguish that couples, parents, or friends can relate to. Sometimes "knowing" things are too much to handle.

Secrets have a way of becoming a dilemma and becoming a family's worst nightmare. The narration is between husband and wife. Livia and Adam. You learn about their marriage. The hard road of Livia's parents separation from their daughter. The sacrifices made. With Livia's 40th birthday coming up, Adam is compelled to give his wife the party that she deserves. With everyone that loves his wife to celebrate. Their grown children daughter and son are a part of the celebration as well.

Both Livia and Adam are keeping a secret concerning their daughter. As the party progresses, they both are holding their secret to save the other. It becomes a dilemma when they both wrestle with their own different secret that they know will change their friendships and their lives. But the party must go on. That is until the last guest is gone and reality hits the fan. Then the dilemma becomes will their marriage survive.

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Ehhh.. I just wasn't invested in the characters. I don't even remember finishing it to be honest. It can easily fall into the category of just bleh.

Show me a husband and wife duo that doesn’t have any secrets. I dare you! In B. A. Paris’s new book, Livia and Adam are protecting their secrets from each other. One’s secret is damaging while the other’s secret is heartbreaking. Both are keeping their secrets because it is Livia’s 40th Birthday and party. She party is hosting a party of all parties to celebrate and make up for the wedding party she never had. Both deal with the need to share their secret, but feel it is important to wait until after the party.

This book was a fast read, but I wouldn’t say it was Paris’s best work. The story was intriguing, but I found the back and forth of the key players agony to be annoying. I also found the ending to be rushed. I get that one of the secrets was felt best kept until there was concrete proof, as a parent and spouse, I just cannot process it ever being kept. The other’s secret doesn’t even hold a flame towards the impact and life changing secret that was being kept from them. They both have their reasons whether I agree or not.

I enjoyed the book, but it didn't wow me as much as her book Behind Closed Doors. This book was repetitive, but well written all at the same time.

I give this book 3.5 stars but will round up to 4 starts for Goodreads.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Livia and Adam have been married for over 20 years, and are celebrating Livia's 40th birthday with a huge party. Neither realizes that as the day goes on, each is harboring secrets that become larger and larger, and threaten the family as they know it.

I was hooked from the beginning of the book. I wanted to know what secrets were already being hidden. As more secrets developed, I wanted to know what was going to happen. I was invested in the characters and I wanted everything to work out for them. I will say that at a point it did seem to drag on a bit--it reminded me of a soap opera, where it takes you a week to find out who was driving the car--and I wanted all the characters to really be aware of what was going on.

The conclusion was satisfying, though not what I was hoping for for this family. I wanted everything to turn out ok, but like real life, that is not always the case.

This book was different from others I've read by this author--I really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read the next one. Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Holy Heckballs! I was equal parts glued to the pages and close to throwing my Kindle in frustration at the same time. I could not get through this quick enough. I needed to know everyone's secrets and how this was all going to turn out. The characters were truly unlikeable (at least to me) and I can't say I understand their motivations for keeping the secrets that they did. Yeah, they were doing it to try to protect their spouse, but their actions were unbelievable to me. If you even suspected your daughter was killed in a plane crash, it's reprehensible to not say something because you didn't want to spoil your wife's big party simply because she didn't get the wedding she wanted or you think she deserved so many years ago - to just give her one more night of normal before her world would come unraveled. I get the husband not wanting to confirm his biggest fear because once you know, you can't unknow. No matter what, the writing was well done and the story kept me engrossed until the very end.

Love B.A. Paris books! This story broke my heart in a thousand pieces.
Grabbed my interest from the beginning and kept me engaged. The plot was interesting and the characters were true to life.I
4 stars.

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and B.A.Paris for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

The party is being planned. It is Livia's 40th birthday, and she want a big party which she dreamed of since she was 17. Her husband Adam is making this one of kind party happen to make up for the wedding they never had. Everyone she loves will attend except her daughter, Marnie, who is studying in Hing Kong. Little does Livia know that this party will divide her life into two parts - before and after.

Overall, I quite enjoyed The Dilemma. The story is being told by two characters - Livia and Adam. It unfolds in present with many flashbacks to the past which explain many issues in the present. I enjoy this technique and I truly think that B.A. Paris is vey talented with it. The transition from present to past and back are vey smooth and never are out of the context. Every shared story is very deliberate and is a next piece to the puzzle. The whole story is about one day basically, at the same time, the reader learns the whole story of Livia and Adam.

Particularly, I was impressed with the turmoil that dam went through during the party preparation and the party itself. His emotions and his mental state was exquisitely described. I assume that Livia was supposed to be the main protagonist, but I see Adam's taking her place.

This book was ok for me. It felt a bit drawn out being basically in the span of one day.
I could appreciate the emotions and drama the characters experienced.