I love the writing style of Paris. It just sucks me in, flows easily, and keeps me completely engaged. This story is set at a party that has been twenty years in the making. Livia has thrown herself a huge 40th party to make up for not having a wedding. We see alternating view points from her and Adam, her husband. They are both withholding secrets from each other about their daughter, Marnie. Some of their motives may be hard to believe at times. This book is different than the others by Paris. It is gut wrenching family drama that consumes you.

The Dilemma by B.A. Paris is about a multitude of problems in Livia and Adam’s family. Livia never got over her simple wedding to Adam after her parents disowned her for being 17 and pregnant. While spending years trying to earn her way back into their good graces, Livia has replaced her dream of a beautiful wedding with a big bash that she will save for to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Her husband Adam indulges her birthday wish but it turns out to be the hardest thing he has ever had to do because of something he knows that no one else does...so he thinks. While Adam is trying to hold things together for Livia’s sake, she is trying to protect Adam about shattering news that she’s been keeping from him. When their secrets collide, all their family and friends will be called upon to help put things right.

B.A. Paris continues to entertain her readers with page-turning plots. I could not have gone to bed without finishing this one. The author of Behind Closed Doors, The Breakdown, and Bring Me Back – I have read them all -- lives in the United Kingdom where The Dilemma is set.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting June 30, 2020.

I would like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

This one wasn't for me, I'm afraid. I'd read this book back in the beginning of June and I've sat on my review, waiting to see if my feelings over the story would change at all...and they really haven't. I was kind of lukewarm over it while I read, and I'm still rather ambivalent about it now.

The writing was solid, but I think I went into the book thinking it was going to be more of a thriller-esque type of plot like I've come to expect from this author and it really wasn't at all. Not that that is a bad thing, because it isn't...I just wasn't in the right mindset to read a heavier drama type of book that this book read like to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars.

I was so looking forward to a new book by BA Parrish, however I did not enjoy this read. I saw someone comment that this book felt like a short story with 100 pages of angst and misunderstanding added to the middle to make it novel length. This description seems spot on. I felt no affinity for any of the characters and the story line was one really long evening described in excruciating detail.

From my blog: Always With a Book:

I've been a fan of B.A. Paris for quite some time now and even had the opportunity to meet her a few years ago. While she usually writes thrillers, this latest one is a bit of a departure but I loved it all the same!

I'm always a big fan of stories that focus on family drama and one that involves people keeping secrets and this one absolutely delivers on that 100%. It is told from alternating viewpoints of a husband and wife and essentially takes place over the course of a 24-hour period. I loved the build-up to the eventual reveal of what the secrets were - both Adam and Livia each had their own secret they were keeping from the other - and as the book progresses, the tension builds which just hooks you further into the story.

I also loved that because of the alternating view points, we are experiencing what is going on from each of the characters' perspectives. Events are happening and because of the secrets, reactions are very different. We are privy to some things, but not everything and this proves to increase the readers anxiety - at least it did for me!

I really enjoyed this book. It was definitely more of an emotional read, filled with some suspenseful moments. There were times I was afraid to see what would come next, but I also could not put this book down either...I was so invested in these characters that I needed to keep reading.

This book, while definitely not the thriller that B.A. Paris is known for, was such a great read. It's the type of read that will stay with you long after you finish that last page as you think about what you would have done if you were to find yourself in either character's position. I highly recommend picking this one up.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the free early copy in exchange for my honest review

3/5 stars

Not my favorite from B.A. Paris but still had a solid pacing to it. Still an auto-buy author for me. Full review to come

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
One family celebration is overcome with the tragedy which secrets brings. When given a choice, so you keep the secrets of others when you know they threaten the fabric of your family harmony? This is the premise of The Dilemma. B.A. Paris has done it again! Another blockbuster family take of secrets and lies.

Once again, here is another book full of secrets. That seems to be a theme in a lot of books lately, at least in ones that I have been lucky enough to read. And secrets can definitely keep a book interesting, that's for sure.

The Dilemma has secrets, but these secrets are being kept for good reasons—not to hide bad things from the past, but to keep loved ones from being hurt. As the 'perfect' birthday party approaches—the party of a lifetime—we see how the stress of keeping these secrets impact the main characters. What a roller-coaster ride of emotions this author put me through.

While The Dilemma had a different feel to it for me from B.A's other thrillers—it didn't feel quite as intense—it was still an exciting and enjoyable read. And as always, I look forward to the next book by B. A. Paris.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the opportunity. I always love a good BA Paris story and this one was a quick read. I liked it but at the same time just wanted to shake all of the characters and shout at them to just spill the beans!!! Gah. I would definitely not call this a thriller as I would other Paris books. It is more of a family drama that sucks you in and won’t let go. Three and a half stars.

I absolutely flew through this book until I was about 40 pages from the end when my heart broke and I almost didn't want to keep reading. I had to see how it wrapped up of course, but not without a few tears.

This is my first B.A. Paris book and we're off to a great start. I enjoyed this one so much and I'm going to have to look up more from this author.

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 for this read that keeps you on the edge of your seat waiting to see what will happen.

This book is a bit of a departure from others that I’ve read from this author. That’s not to say that I didn’t enjoy it. It’s a very emotional story that kept me interested from beginning to end. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review

So many secrets! And all because the secret holders don't want to cause another person hurt or pain. But what is more hurtful - finding out someone has kept something important from you that would impact your life. Or that person caring enough about you to let you have one more happy moment?

Those are the questions that torture Livia and Adam as they both hold onto knowledge of events until those events become so intertwined, even the secret holders can't unravel them fast enough.

This story was very emotional for me on so many levels. I cried (there - I said it) (several times). I feel as though the book was a little drawn out, and somewhat repetitive in parts, and, without spoilers, I'll just say I'm not sure where the ending could have gone, but it seemed like it could have ended sooner.

Having said that, Paris once again keeps that haunting sense of anticipation of what happens next - thus, the suspense is taut and true Paris style.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy for review.

*3.5 stars. This is a very poignant family drama that delves into how we treat the people we are closest to in life. I suppose 'the dilemma' of the title is when to reveal knowledge that will forever change their lives. The story is alternately told by Livia and Adam, wife and husband, beginning on the day of her 40th birthday when they are throwing a party that she has dreamed of for most of her life. Adam receives news that will change everything--should the party be allowed to go on?

I thought the story was well-written but I could not warm up to the characters. I didn't like the basic reasoning behind throwing a big birthday bash: Let's celebrate ME and invite a hundred or more of my closest friends! And don't forget to bring gifts! Oh no, no, no! Maybe if it hd been a 25th anniversary party, THEN I could understand wanting to have the celebration they missed when they quietly married. Sorry--this just seemed too self-important by half.

I received an arc of this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. Guess I was expecting a suspenseful thriller from this author

(3.5/5) The Dilemma was an interesting story about family, secrets, loss, and guilt, but the characters, Adam and Livia, frustrated me. I just didn't get why Adam wouldn't make "the call" to check on Marnie to at least know or to tell Livia about what might have happened. Once you read the book, you'll know what I mean with "the call." And Livia's obsession with her over-the-top 40th birthday party was a bit much, plus she had her own secret about Marnie that she'd kept from Adam. I had a difficult time rating The Dilemma. I did enjoy the book and it was a fast read, but it just didn't wow me like her previous books.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

I went into this book knowing I wasn’t reading a traditional thriller like Paris’ previous books. I think that allowed to appreciate this book for exactly what it was, a tense and suspense filled family drama!

I’ve read many reviews that say that this wasn’t a thriller, the book wasn’t good, it wasn’t like her other titles and IT WASN’T. I don’t think that is what she was going for.

Please see Goodreads for the synopsis, I don’t want to be redundant.

I read this book in one sitting. It was fast paced. I think many found issue with Livia’s obsession with throwing a massive parry for her fortieth birthday. It may seem trivial but from her perspective she didn’t get the wedding of her dreams and wanted to experience a celebration of her life. I understood and I related. Livia grew up in a wealthy dysfunctional family that disowned her for getting pregnant and marrying young, I also understand that…I had Jon at 19 years old. I related to Livia as a mother, fiercely loving her family and wanting to protect them all. I ached for Matt as he tried to allow Livia her perfect day despite enduring great emotional pain himself. As a character study this book was very well written. It was not meant to be the same as Paris’ other novels and it wasn’t.

This book reaches deep into family secrets and lies. Studies what makes and breaks marriages and friendships. Questions what we do to protect our spouses and our children. Asks us to consider what we would do if our own child did something terrible that affects everyone around us?Can we forgive them? How can we make it up to those we love? This novel was heartbreaking, and kept me awake, thinking about all of these questions. I enjoyed it and would recommend it. It is a 4 star read in my opinion.

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress and @baparis for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Another great story by B.A. Paris!! I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this one but it was an incredible book. It was angsty and emotional. Kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I couldn't wait to learn what was going to happen with each new chapter but at the same time dreading what I was going to discover with each new chapter.

Livia has been looking forward to her fortieth birthday party for a long time, a party that she has been planning for forever. The only person on her guest list who won't be able to make is her daughter Marnie, but if she is truthful Livia is kind of happy she won't be there. You see Livia has a secret, something she has been keeping from her husband Adam for a while but she doesn't want to tell him until after the party. If Marnie were there she isn't sure she would be able to be open and honest with him about what.she has been hiding. Adam wants Livia's party to be the best she has ever had and hopes all will go off without a hitch. He has a huge surprise for her and thinks it will make her party in the end perfect. The only problem facing Adam is that he has learned something he did want to know and isn't sure how he will handle it in the end. Follow along as both Livia and Adam struggle with the secrets that they know, will they be able to let the truth set them free or will finding out everything ruin them in the end?

Drop whatever it is that you have going on because you're going to be busy reading this awesome and twisty book. Amazing is such a poor word to describe a thriller that's so engaging that it grips you from the very first page and it's so rare when that happens. So yeah it's an absolute must read and it deserves the top spot on your TBR stack. Happy reading!

Livia and Adam married when they were quite young. They are the parents of Josh and Marnie, both college students. Marnie has been studying in Hong Kong and Josh has been closer to home.

When Livia became pregnant with Josh before they were married, her parents literally disowned her. She has not heard from them for many years. But Adam’s parents have been very loving to them.

Livia has always wanted a huge party to celebrate her 40th birthday and it’s finally here. They will have it in their garden with food catered, lots of lights, music, and all of their friends. So much planning has gone into this event and Livia is thrilled.

Livia had wanted Marnie to attend but her studies are not over quite yet and the money for the flight would be very expensive should she come just for the party. But, unknown to Livia, Adam has arranged for her to take a series of flights to arrive on Livia’s birthday.

Livia and Adam love their children dearly, but both of them are not keeping a secret from one another about Marnie and plan to disclose them after the party. Adam’s secret is devastating but he is torn as to whether he should keep his secret for a few hours until after the party so Livia can enjoy some happy hours. Is he right or wrong to do so?

This is a nice drama with a lot of anguish that the author has managed to express very well in this book. The emotions are real and heartbreaking. Readers, take a deep breath when you read this and relish what the words family and love truly mean.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is one of my all-time favorite authors. I’ve loved every one of their books and will continue to have them as an auto buy author. I’m always amazed at how this author takes their books one step further every time and they get better and better as time goes on. I love that this book was told in different characters perspectives each chapter.

I thought Livia‘s was very selfish and I found myself getting so annoyed with her throughout the whole book. She may be one of the most annoying characters I have ever read. Fortunately for this book it works out perfectly. I really thought Marnie was a great character and her whole storyline put everything into perspective for Livia and the rest of the characters . Adam as a character really seemed to save the whole story for me, he was by far my favorite, even though his communication skills were the absolute worst he always had this way of trying to make everyone feel as happy as they possibly can.

Overall if you were looking for a very character driven read that plays out pretty slowly, but gives you so much character this is the book for you. The fact that the story itself was very unique and told in a wonderful way by switching from characters perspectives just makes it very put together. I will continue to read every book by this author and probably love them all.