This book took me away from my typical genre. It was well worth it. It is definitely a tear jerker and makes you think about family dynamics, and your own moral compass. Great job!

Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

Who does it hurt more when you keep a secret, yourself or those around you? Livia, Adam, Josh and Marnie are a family. Each of them has a secret. They all tried to find the right time to tell their family what is going on in their life or a secret they know of another. Without going into much detail, this is a must-read book.

This novel differs from B.A. Paris previous novels. This isn’t a mystery novel or a thriller. This is about a family and the struggles that take a toll in each character’s life as they tried to find the right time to let go of this secret. Even though it’s not a mystery, there is a constant attraction of enigma that kept me reading. The characters are fascinating as they try to convince themselves why they should not tell others about what they know. There were so much emotions within this novel, I didn’t realize I was crying as I read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read this fabulous ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so thrilled to be invited to read a galley copy of B. A. Paris's latest novel, The Dilemma. I got the invitation to read it, downloaded it, and read it all in a single day. I just couldn't put it down until I learned how the dilemma would be resolved. That night I had dinner with a friend and told her the basics of the story because I found it fascinating. A week later, I met another friend for dinner and did the same with her because The Dilemma was still with me. It's on both of their To Read lists now.

The beauty of The Dilemma is that it's such a simple story. Most of the book takes place in a single day. The primary characters are Livia, her husband Adam, and their two children Marnie and Josh. Marnie is a college student in Hong Kong, and Josh works in NY. The setting is Livia and Adam's UK home on the occasion of Livia's 40th birthday. Livia and Adam had had a quickie wedding when they were just teens, and she's always felt cheated out of that All-About-Me Day. So for 20 years she's been putting away money to save for a lavish 40th birthday celebration with all of the important people in her life, all of her family and friends.

Now the day has finally arrived, but both Livia and Adam each have a dilemma. Livia knows a secret about their daughter that will crush her husband when he finds out. Adam also knows something about Marnie that could destroy Livia and change everything for their entire family. What would you do? Would you be honest with your spouse and face the fallout or would you hold the secret for just one day knowing that nothing can be done to change the consequences anyway? One more day of happiness is the consequence of keeping the secret to yourself. Then again, when the secret comes out, will you be able to repair the broken trust that is the consequence of the secret you kept?

Paris's prose will pull you in tight and keep you turning the pages. I felt for both Livia and Adam, but you will be particularly empathetic for Adam and the decision he needs to make. As I said, it's a very simple story, but it just broke my heart. I loved every moment, and it has stayed me in the weeks since I read it. That's the hallmark of a great novel. Five bright stars from me.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC of The Dilemma.

I should rename this book with my another favorite Led Zeppelin’s song name: “Communication Breakdown” or we may call it “Anatomy of Marriage” and deliver this heart wrenching, soul crusher, touchy story into talented hands of Noah Baumbach to turn this into a tear jerker movie. What do you think if we may have another realistic, memorable movie after Marriage’s Story.

I have to admit, I didn’t expect a dramatic family fiction when I started reading this book. When I saw B. A. Paris’ name, I thought I was about to devour a nail biter, eyes wider, grey cell crusher thriller story. So I may have given two stars after the disappointment but... I couldn’t because this is really good written fiction.

I truly loved Livia as a character, Adam and her marriage story made me cry, affected me deeply because in my opinion you’re not growing up till you get married and spend your life with someone, discovering yourself and learning more about your partner in crime! When you get married, you learn how to share, how to fight against tremendous challenges life is throwing at your way, because your marriage teaches you to be selfless, mature, logical. Mostly marriage also teaches you to be blind, mute and listen more, act lesser.

Livia and Adam were so young when they put their rings on and took their first steps to the parenthood when they were also young adults.

Livia is shunned by her family emotionally and financially. And Adam had real hard time to adapt his new life. He acted like spoiled brat/ baby boy who wanted to hang out and play with other boys, riding bikes, rejecting responsibility and put entire parenthood burden on his wife’s shoulders. He made so many mistakes and now he was adamant to pay his dues and atone his past marriage sins.

So our story starts at the 40th birthday party of Livia. She’s finally having quality time with loved ones and being pampered by her friends and family. But Livia is not really happy. She’s keeping a secret from her husband about her daughter. Her husband’s favorite, Marnie, their daughter, betrayed their trust and Livia is not ready to face to her daughter who is still in Hong Kong for her education. This secret could change everything about their family dynamics, their social circles and close friendships.

But guess what! Her husband is also keeping a secret, too. Their daughter is planning to make surprising appearance at her mother’s birthday. Adam is so happy and determined to compensate his faults and wrongdoings throughout their marriage by giving his wife the most special night she deserves.

Then he checks the news and finds out there is a plane crash and their daughter might be in very same plane. But he can tell it to his wife and ruin his day. Maybe their daughter missed the plane. Maybe she was alive, wasn’t she?
You wanna know what’s gonna happen? Go on and read it! It’s getting better at each page.

I enjoyed book’s realism about marriage, friendship, parenthood and the author’s way of questioning those matters with honesty. Only thing I didn’t like is the couple’s lack of communication because of their own reasons could be more frustrating than you could ever imagine.

And of course ending ripped my heart apart. So I’m giving my happily ever after four stars and recommend this heartbreaking journey to you. But please keep your napkins, tissues, any kind of tear driers closer and do not wail way too long like I did not to traumatize your lovely neighbors!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sharing this meaningful ARC COPY with me in exchange my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published June 30, 2020.

I am so grateful to receive this early copy since B. A. Paris is one of my newly discovered favorite authors. This is her fourth book and the fourth one I’ve read.

The book centers around Livia’s 40th birthday party and takes place over 24 hours, being told in alternating points of view from the husband and wife. Each knows a secret and the chooses to withhold it from the other, but at what cost?

Review posted on GoodReads.

A decision that will change everything.
Knowing the truth will destroy her.
Keeping it secret will destroy him.

I've read several novels by B.A. Paris, but The Dilemma takes a very different turn from her previous work. The story itself is simple. A married couple, Adam and Livia, is celebrating Livia's 40th birthday, with their friends and family, in style...with a huge, high end party in their garden. The problem? They're both keeping life-altering secrets, and each is facing a dilemma as to when to break their news to the other.

While this plot doesn't seem particularly riveting, I nevertheless found myself glued to my Kindle, unable to look away from this train wreck-in-the-making. I found myself desperately, fervently hoping things would work out as the conclusion loomed closer and closer.

It's hard to overlook our protagonists' vexing decisions, and there were times I was muttering to myself, "Come ON." Yet, inexplicably, I quite enjoyed this book. Livia's party was a veritable boiling pot of emotion, and I simply couldn't look away. While I couldn't understand their choices, somehow, Liv and Adam were still deeply relatable.

The Dilemma is very slow burning, but it's also compulsively readable.

Feeling intrigued? If so, you can purchase your own copy of The Dilemma on June 30, 2020. I suggest you do. 3.5 stars rounded up.

**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

Wow! This story pulled me in from the start. Tons of ups and downs and you are never 100% sure how to feel while reading this book. Great story with a decent ending!

I received this ARC from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

B.A. Paris has written four other mysteries/thrillers that I've read, so I wasn't surprised to see The Dilemma show up in this category. Having read it, however, it seems miscategorized. I didn't love this one and felt that it sort of went nowhere. Each of the main characters are in the midst of two different dilemmas centering around their daughter. Neither is quite ready to tell the other, but as a reader, there's really no mystery. I can't see myself recommending this to many readers.

***4.5 Stars***
The Dilemma is a spectacular emotional display of love and deceit in a marriage. Coming off the heals of the Break Down and Behind Closed Doors, The Dilemma is perhaps is B.A. Paris's best novel written to date.

Livia has been holding on to a devastating secret about her daughter Marnie. Not knowing when or how to tell her husband Adam, she tries to push it deep inside. After all, Marnie is his comeback as a father since he was absent for a large part of his older son's life. But everything is about to unravel during Livia's epic 40th birthday party when Adam's surprise present becomes a dark nightmare. Livia and Adam try to keep it together to enjoy perhaps a final moment before each other's secret is unveiled.

The Dilemma is a narrative that takes place over a day. Written in alternating perspectives, Livia and Adam, each chapter takes off where one leaves creating a seamless timeline. Livia's character is consumed with creating a life that she never had. Her mother and father, overbearing and stern, denied the young couple a true wedding. Adam is spending a lifetime trying to be a good father to Marnie, and a better one for Josh. He made selfish choices as a young father but his love for his children and wife is palpable. The majority of the novel reads like a stream of consciousness and the tension feels very real. I found myself consumed by the characters' choices, praying that the couple would survive each other. However, there were times I wished the Livia and Adam would wrap up their messy thoughts (a slow burn) and just talk to each other. But that is just how I handle my Dilemmas: HEAD ON! Overall a fantastic read. I look forward to Paris's next novel!

Thank you Netgalley, Martin's press, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The Dilemma tells the story of the family drama that unfolds during Livia’s fortieth birthday that she’s been planning for years with the help of her husband, Adam. The whole book spans over the course of one day, a day that Livia has been obsessing over since she never got the perfect wedding she once wished for. If you can get over the fact that a forty year old woman is throwing such a fuss over her own birthday, it’s quite the fast paced read. As quick as it went, I connected with zero of its self absorbed characters, agreed with zero of their decisions, and cringed at the ending. I normally love anything B.A. Paris, but this is nothing like her other suspenseful thrillers.

Some thrillers choose to bring down the safe world you build around yourself. This is one of them. The storyline is intriguing, emotional and will keep you guessing. You might even find yourself questioning what you would do in the protangonists’ situations. A fun read that will keep you thinking about it for a while. A must-read for 2020.

The Dilemma is more of a family drama than the usual mystery/thriller that B. A. Paris writes. This book alternated between the husband's and wife's narrations of her 40th birthday party. I found the characters in this story to seemingly be incapable of making good decisions, which made The Dilemma hard to read at times. This book kept me entertained, but I'm not sure that I would recommend it since it was rather repetitive and slow-going. Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

The Dilemma is a story about a husband and wife who have a wonderful marriage and couldn't really ask for more.....other then a 40th birthday bash to make up for not having a big wedding.

This book isn't one that you have to really think where it is going. You can figure out most if not all of the "who done its" but at the same time it does not take away from the emotion or shock of it all.

By the end of this book I was in tears.....because I am a mom of two and I know what it means to be a mom and love my kids unconditionally.

The relationship between husband and wife is not perfect but it feels pretty darn close.

B.A. Paris delivers another great read

I must be in the minority here, bit I couldn’t get past a 40 year old planning her dream birthday party, and add to that, she’s been saving for it for years!? Because she didn’t have the wedding she wanted? Grow up lady. What!? Ridiculous premise,backdrop, whatever, couldn’t take this seriously at ALL. Gave up about a third of the way in.

Livia has saved for years to make her 40th birthday party a huge event. She was denied a huge wedding and nothing will stop her from this party! Adam wants nothing more than Livia to be happy. He’s planned a special surprise for her, one that will alter all their lives. Lots of secrets being kept between Livia and Adam which when revealed could potentially destroy their marriage.


This is a hard review for me to write as B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors. I didn’t like any of the characters.
They were all self absorbed and never took anyone else feelings to consideration. At the half point of the book I found myself thinking oh gosh, enough already and skipped thru quite a few pages. I felt there was no real plot or an intriguing story line. This is more of a family drama book than a Thriller.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first part of this book was very compelling - what were the secrets that Livia and Adam were hiding? What was there dilemma? The secrets were revealed pretty early in the book, and at that point and after that it just got a little harder to get through. It was a quick read - the writing was good and the characters were developed, but the alternating viewpoints of Livia and Adam made it somewhat repetitive. Throughout the last half of the book, I just kept wondering why Livia and Adam didn't just talk to each other. Also, part of the reason for keeping a secret was to not spoil a party - I don't get the idea that someone would obsess about and save money for 20 years to throw themselves a big party on their 40th birthday, so the premise of keeping a secret was on shaky ground for me.

Would I recommend this book to others? I don't know - it would be quick and easy read for someone who enjoyed domestic drama.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3053292985

I must start this review by saying that B.A. Paris is one of my favorite authors!!! However, this was my least favorite book of hers..

I had initially heard that this book would be quite different than a typical B.A. Paris book and the rumors were true.

It was still a very gripping read, however it wasn’t your typical psychological thriller. I would categorize more as general fiction to be honest which I don’t particular love.

The premise was more about a family keeping secrets from each other and how that unfolds.

I also had a hard time liking the characters and/or having sympathy for them. I just wanted to scream TELL THEM THE SECRETS AND LET’S MOVE ON. At 50% I really kind of had enough of the back and forth and just wanted to be done with the book.

There was still a small element of mystery, as we had to uncover what the numerous secrets were, and that’s why it’s a 4 star for me. Overall, if you like general fiction you will most likely love this book. If you are an avid fan of mystery and thrillers, you might not enjoy this one as much as the previous novels.

I want to start by thanking NetGalley, the publishing house, and the author for allowing me an electronic copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Probably closer to 4.5!
I typical B.A. Paris fashion she knows how to create some crazy tension!! I was hooked after I read "Behind Closed Doors". This novel is different in that its not so much a psychological thriller as it is domestic suspense and an almost palpable tension.
The one thing that strikes me about this novel is that I did not care for the main character! I found the wife to be very selfish and spoiled. That being said, I still cared about how "The Dilemma" was going to turn out. I enjoyed her family and friends. I like the side-drama involving the daughter and her personal life. It made the novel more believable and "real" so to speak. Since we all know in life, real people can do some real stupid things!
Can't wait for her next novel. And this one isn't even released yet!
#thestruggleisreal #thedilemma

I loved B.A Paris’ book “Behind Closed Doors” so I was excited to read The Dilemma. Just like Behind Closed Doors, The Dilemma deals with family, secrets, & love. I was absolutely blown away! I loved the main characters, the suspenseful plot, and the surprises throughout the book that I didn’t see coming. I highly recommend this book and would be shocked if it doesn’t end up being on the best sellers list!

Today I am existing on caffeine, because I was up all night reading this book. I couldn't stop reading the story as it alternates between a husband and wife and the day of her birthday party. Both are hiding a secret that will change the family dynamics forever. I identified with the husband more, as I found the wife's obsession with her birthday party a bit over the top. I feel like someone in her life would've told her to settle down. That said, every other aspect of this plot was so well done. I could feel the angst as the timeline of the day progressed. This is a suspenseful plot that will leave you needing to turn just one more page...and then another...Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.