B.A. Paris is an auto buy author for me. This one was good but not my favorite. The beginning was great and intriguing, but the second half didn’t quite measure up.

BA Paris nailed this one as far as I’m concerned. Even though I found some things a bit too coincidental, the story kept my interest and I really never knew what would happen next.

Amelie, who was on her own at an early age, ends up meeting the right people at pivotal times in her life. She ends up with a job at a prestigious magazine and has a good group of friends.

When her boss, Ned, invites her on a business trip to Las Vegas, she ends up on a path she never imagined. Ned is in trouble and he uses Amelie to help divert attention away from his bad behavior.

Amelie begins to realize how toxic Ned is and makes plans to get away, but before that happens she and Ned are kidnapped. As Amelie contemplates her situation, readers find out the back story via another timeline.

This is certainly not your typical kidnapped couple and it does not have a typical ending. I was engaged in the story throughout and found it to be a very satisfying read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to offer my honest review and recommend this book to other readers.

I went back and forth between the audio and reading the ebook of this, and while it was a really quick read, with short chapters that I enjoyed, the story fell a little flat for me.⁣
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In the beginning, I was interested, Amelie, a woman who has lost her parents at a young age and has had to get by in life mostly on her own, marries a billionaire for her own motivations and his own motivations only to end up locked in a dark room, unsure why she’s there, who kidnapped her, and why she feels safer in that room than with the man she just married. ⁣
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I liked the premise of the story. I liked how Amelie was always trying to find a solution for her problems instead of trembling in fear in the dark; but the story was pretty predicable for me.⁣
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Didn’t love it; didn’t hate it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

While this book had an interesting premise, the “twist” fell kind of flat for me. I love thrillers that throw a curve ball and I felt like the ending of this book was pretty predictable and just kind of ended. That being said, I did enjoy the mystery of the first half and cheering Amelie on while she was trying to escape. Not my favorite B.A. Paris book, but I’ll definitely read her next one!

This one was a mind-twister. I felt like I honestly read 2 books in one, and it gave me “Gone Girl”-esque vibes. I love BA Paris as an author, but while this book was good, it was not one I’ll put at the top of my list of books to read by them. Worth a shot if you like the twisty, two stories in one, action paced thriller.

Amelie is taken, prisoner. The wife of a billionaire who has virtually imprisoned her in a marriage with no romance. She is fed regularly but kept in a dark room with no sense of time or when it is day or night. The story unfolds going backward in time as to why and how Amelie got there and who might be her savior and her enemy. The story is well told, and the characters are interesting in this tale of intrigue and danger. The ending left me, as the reader a little confused and it seemed uncertain even to the writer. I will leave it to you. It is a story worth reading and maybe we are all supposed to imagine our own conclusion to this interesting tale. Thanks to #netgalley#theprisoner for the opportunity to read and review this book..

A vicious kidnapping kicks off the novel, and the reader goes on a journey to figure out the who and why behind it all. Told in dual timelines, Amelie takes us through the events that led to the very moment of her kidnapping, and eventually, how will she survive it.

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I'm going to start this review by saying that I love B.A. Paris. In fact, Paris and Ware are the duo that turned me into a thriller fiend! However, the most recent title just was not a hit for me.

Paris is typically great at building suspense over the course of the novel, but in this case tips their hand far too early. You already have a pretty good sense of why this is all happening from the very beginning, and the who was not that hard to work out either. Pacing in general just seemed off for a Paris novel.

Then we get to the ending. Character motivations, while generally unreliable in order to make a story interesting, are definitely missing from the latter quarter of the book, and I was left with a maddening sense that while the premise started out promising, the author just didn't follow through.

<b>Read Completed 11/6/22 |</b> 2.5 stars
This was a really disappointing read from B.A. Paris and read like a debut novel that didn't have enough editing. The writing style was fine, moderately engaging, but the book had zero personality whatsoever. The characters were extremely flat and despite the effort to give them a backstory, they didn't feel like anything at all. Even with Amelie narrating the whole book, I still feel like I didn't know much about her aside from some rough outlines.

I was waiting for a major twist to make the book worth it and was going to leave it at three stars but I got to the end and it was just a big letdown. Nothing was developed enough for me to really care and I ended up being more disappointed than I already was. I was really surprised that was the ending, actually. There was too much to tell, tell, tell to readers from the time spent being a prisoner to the big reveal at the end. I didn't feel involved in the story at all and I'm really bummed at the potential here that never came to be.

This was a solid psychological thriller for me. I enjoyed B.A. Paris book Behind Closed Doors better but this one did live up to the hype for me. I would say I enjoyed the first half better then the second but all in all...it was a suspenseful enjoyable book!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the first 70%ish or so. But once she starts questioning and getting all those answers, the book lost some of it's magic punch to me. I would have rather it ended earlier or, I don't know, but not the whole questioning and finding out everything just like that.

Omg this book was wow! Love it!

Amelie lost everything she has when her father died so she went to London to start over where she meets many people who were kind to her. Threw these people she meets Ned and marries him with out knowing that it will ended up worse then before. Can she save herself before it’s too late!!

Love this author she has so many wild stories

BOOK REVIEW: The Prisoner by B.A. Paris
2022 Publication Date: November 1

⭐️⭐️⭐️️

T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022 | Best Thriller Books

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
Keep asking questions... Of yourself... Of others... Of your circumstances...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW:
The Prisoner by B.A. Paris is a gripping tale of one woman's journey to escape a nightmare marriage.

Suspenseful with twists, turns, and characters that will make you question everything you know.

Here are three reasons why "The Prisoner" could be a must-read in best thrillers for you:

1. The Plot is Unpredictable
From the very first page, "The Prisoner" will have you hooked. The story follows Amelie, a young woman who marries Jed Hawthorne, a wealthy businessman. Soon after the wedding, Amelie wakes up in a pitch-black room, not knowing where she is or why she's been taken. As she tries to piece together what has happened, she surprisingly realizes that her captors may be the only people she can trust. Quickly shifting this book within thriller novels into the crime fiction genre for crime novels as well.

2. The Characters are Compelling
From Amelie to Jed to Amelie's captors, everyone in this psychological thriller is fascinating in their own way. You will never quite know who to trust as each character seems to have a dark secret — and that sense of unease and suspense will keep you fully invested in this suspense novel from the beginning to the very last page.

3. The Writing is Engaging
B.A. Paris is an award-winning master of psychological thrillers and thriller novels... And The Prisoner is no exception. Paris knows how to build crime fiction tension and create an atmosphere of fear and dread on the page that blurs the lines of real life versus fiction, making for a truly engrossing reading experience.

Finally, I loved the beautifully written use of multiple timelines that brought Amelie's past and present circumstances to a climax in the story.

Perfect for readers who are thriller fans and love to approach reading a psychological thriller from multiple perspectives... With information dripped masterfully into the story from chapter to chapter.

Although I did find a few plot points were left hanging and the overall conclusion left me with a lot of questions, I know this is a trademark B.A. Paris element. And, that element keeps me a B.A. Paris biggest fan. As it never fails to connect me with the main character's experience who is also left with a future filled with questions, and a potentially unknown path forward... But with a hint of hope that she will be able to navigate it...✨😎✨

Pages: 300
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Psychological Thriller
Time Period: Present Day
Location: London (England)

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Stay Awake by Megan Goldin ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Movie: Drive

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Amelie has lost both of her parents (her mother as a young girl and just recently her father) and is struggling to make a new life in London.

She starts to build a network of close female friends who helps her find a job where they are working as well. There she meets Jed Hawthorne, her new boss, and the two get married in a "faux marriage" to solve the challenges each of them is facing individually.

But soon after their wedding, things turn dark quickly behind closed doors. Amelie wakes up in a pitch-black room, not knowing where she is or why she has been taken captive.

As she begins to piece together what has happened, she realizes that her captors might not be who they seem... and that her husband Jed has been hiding some deadly secrets of his own the entire time including a terrible crime.

If you are a fan of the best thrillers Gone Girl or The Silent Patient, check out my T.I.M.E. Book Review above for three reasons why The Prisoner might be a must-read thriller for you.

BOOK QUOTE:
"Maybe... " — The Prisoner by B.A. Paris

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Suspenseful, edge of your seat story about a woman who marries a man who is seriously dangerous. After a difficult upbringing Amelie is finally feeling good about her life. She has friends, a job she likes, and a new man who makes her a promise she can’t resist. She has always been resourceful, but when she finds herself in a dark room with no idea how to get out she is facing her worst nightmare. Extremely fast paced and addictive.

B.A. Paris never disappoints. This is a well paced psychological thriller with great characters and unexpected twists. Just when i thought I had figured it out, I was thrown another curve which is exactly what I want from a thriller. Highly recommended along with all of her other books.

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

Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of The Prisoner ebook from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! What a ride! I have read several novels by this author and I think this is my favourite! Loved the short chapters and the past/present POV. There was enough twists in the plot to keep you guessing but not overwhelming. All of the pieces fit perfectly together by the time the story wraps up. I really enjoyed this one!

Amelie finds herself alone after her fathers unexpected death. She heads to London to try and find a job and save money for school. She is fortunate to meet and befriend Carolyn who takes her in, introduces her to her friends and helps her secure a job at the firm she’s at.

Amelie meets the young owner of the firm at a staff party and eventually receives an offer she can’t refuse and will ultimately help her pay for and get through the schooling she has long dreamed of doing. But the deal is not quite what it appears to be and Amelie is in over her head.

The first part of the story is told through Amelie’s POV in a past/present perspective. Through a scammed marriage, lost friendships and a violent kidnapping, Amelie must figure out what is happening and who she can trust.

I’m not sure how I feel about the ending for this one. I think it could have been tied up a bit better than it was. Otherwise, this was a fantastic book and gets a solid four star rating from me.

#NetGalley #BAParis #theprisoner

This was a thriller that kept me interested, but I think the “whys” behind the story were very confusing. From the beginning, you want to know why the protagonist is a prisoner, but there are so many complications as to the backstory. A solid thriller, but not one of my faves.

I still haven’t found a BA Paris title that rivals Behind Closed Doors, I keep hoping for that level of suspense and creativity again but this one was a far cry.

First of all, I thought there was too much narration of the actual imprisonment/ kidnapping. I found myself skimming these segments to get to the next chapters.

I liked the past/ present duality and the concept itself, but I found the entire premise suspect of Amelie’s “marriage” to Ned, and even worse, the ending. The ending was SUCH a letdown. It seemed to tie up way too neatly with such little excitement. All the details in ONE conversation? Way too simple!

This had potential but I felt like it didn’t live up to it!

Amelie Lamont is used to being on her own. By the time she is finishing school, she’s an orphan, and ready to leave her hometown to make something of herself in London. This proves to be much harder and after a few months in the city, she’s on the verge of homelessness. Then she meets Carolyn, who takes her in, and becomes like a sister to Amelie. They quickly fall into routine, and years pass with Amelie becoming very close to Carolyn’s friends Justine and Lina as well. She eventually begins to work at the magazine Justine and Lina are employed at - where she meets the owner, Ned Hawthorpe. Ned is a millionaire who has a troubled relationship with his billionaire father and doesn’t have the best reputation with the other female employees. He’s nice to Amelie and his security guard Hunter is attractive, so when he asks Amelie to fly to Las Vegas with him for a business meeting, she takes the opportunity. What happens on that trip will change her life forever. Upon their return, Amelie witnesses Ned do something horrible before they’re both kidnapped and seemingly held for ransom. Will Ned’s father pay to have them both released? What will Amelie’s fate be if they are let go? Who on earth is doing this - and why?

I’ve seen some mixed reviews on this book and I can understand why. I read and loved Behind Closed Doors, so this had a lot to live up to, and while I don’t think it did - it was still a good read. It had a dual timeline and very short chapters which absolutely kept my attention. Amelie was a very reliable narrator which I love, and the story developed well. The ending was just somewhat confusing to me and seemed to try to wrap everything up but still left questions in my opinion. It was a little sloppy somehow. The first 3/4 felt like a page turner for me though and I would still recommend this one. Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read the e-arc!

Amelie was only 16 when she lost her father. After that, she had no one left. He’d had cancer, and she had been helping to take care of him. And when his health declined quickly, she was left alone, with no place to live and no money. She moved to London to try to find a job so she could save some money for law school. But she had such a hard time finding a place to live that she could afford, she wasn’t able to put any extra money aside. And when she lost the waitressing job she had, she didn’t know what to do. That was when she met Carolyn.

Carolyn’s husband had just left her, and she was looking for someone who could help with the housework and cooking while she was at work. She offered Amelie the job, and Amelie moved in. She met some friends of Carolyn, who worked at the magazine Exclusives, owned by wealthy playboy Ned Hawthorpe. When attending a party for Exclusives, she caught the eye of Ned and he asked her to work for the magazine. She agreed, and when he called her up one day and asked her to accompany him to Las Vegas to try to get a specific celebrity interview, she agreed.

While they were in Las Vegas, they got married.

And only a few weeks later, back home in England, they got kidnapped.

Amelie finds herself in a darkened room, alone, only a mattress on the floor. Someone comes twice a day to bring a tray with some food, and she does have a small bathroom, with a toilet and sink. Occasionally she can hear them talking to Ned, who is apparently being held in a room downstairs from her. But mostly it is quiet. It is dark and quiet, and Amelie has to fight to stay strong. She has felt her way through the entire room, and while there is a window, it’s been carefully nailed shut. All she has is the mattress and darkness. And time to think.

And think she does. She thinks through everything that lead her to the moment she got kidnapped. She thinks of how she might be able to escape. She thinks that her kidnappers may just kill her. And she thinks that if for some reason her kidnappers leave her alive, then her husband might be the one who ends her life.

The Prisoner is the latest thriller by B.A. Paris, and it is dark. It starts with the kidnapping and releases bits of information slowly, as Amelie is trying to figure out how to survive. The stakes are high, as she could be killed at any time, and it’s hard to know just who is the victim, and to know who is behind the kidnapping. This fifth domestic thriller by Paris is a bit of a throwback to her first, Behind Closed Doors. But it’s also innovative in its twists and turns.

I have had mixed feelings for Paris’s books since I read her first one. This one isn’t my favorite, but it’s also not my least favorite. I liked the character of Amelie, and I thought the kidnapping plot was interesting. But I also figured out who her captor was. It’s a good story and a quick read, but it is dark and a little creepy.

Egalleys for The Prisoner were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for the eARC of The Prisoner! I will always covet the chance to read an upcoming B.A. Paris book, especially when it follows something strong like last year’s release, The Therapist.

Unfortunately, The Prisoner mostly missed the mark for me and I don’t find it to be one of her stronger books.

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My thoughts:

The plot itself sounds interesting enough, a husband and wife are kidnapped and we have to learn what, what happens, and then what happens afterward. I’m always down for a psychological or domestic thriller with these plots.

The issue is that in order for these kinds of books to be interesting or terrifying, they have to be if not real, at least believable. Even the believable parts in this one weren’t believable. Those older women wouldn’t just invite 18 year old Amelie into their lives so quickly, and Ned doing the things that Ned does, even the twists at the end involving Amelie’s money, none of it really worked for me. It just all felt very cartoon like and more eye rolls happened than they should have.

And the end didn’t work – yeah yeah yeah Amelie wants to straightaway get involved with another very dangerous accessory to murder No. It was just too easy to wrap everything up with that super long conversation at the end.

Also the entire book was repetitive. It had short chapters that are good for flipping pages quickly, but for something so short it seems like it should have moved forward more than sideways sometimes. The other issue is that unless we were told, it was hard to keep track of how much time was passing overall. Four years from start to finish, how did that even happen? I think dates would have helped this one a lot for the segments taking place in the past.

I finished the book rather quickly despite everything, so that’s something. For the four Paris novels I’ve read now: I loved Behind Closed Doors, liked The Therapist, kind of sort of tolerated Bring Me Back, but The Prisoner to me is the worst of the bunch. Sorry, I just know BA Paris can do better!

Thanks for checking out my book review of The Prisoner! As always, I endlessly thank St. Martin’s Press for being a wonderful partner and providing me with so many amazing free books to review! All honest opinions are my own