Iris and Gabriel return home from a vacation that was intended (by Iris at least) to rekindle some sparks in their marriage but sadly fell far short. Gabriel is still suffering from depression after being present at the dying declaration of a young man they knew. He’s sad, conflicted, unable to focus and is on leave from his job. Romance is the last thing on his mind. Iris has tried to be supportive but she’s getting more than a bit impatient. Their daughter is away at school so it’s just the two of them, rarely speaking and not really connecting.

As if that’s not bad enough, they return home to find their friend Laure staying, uninvited, in their home. In their bedroom, in fact. Laure and her husband Pierre have been friends with Iris and Gabriel since they met nearly 20 years ago at Iris and Gabriel’s first wedding anniversary and have maintained regular contact and visits over the years, but Laure’s appearance in the house is unexpected. She’s left Pierre after he revealed he had a daughter from a secret affair. Naturally she’s obsessed with it, it’s all she thinks or talks about, but it soon becomes apparent that she’s not intending to leave anytime soon and she begins to act like it’s her house and they are the guests.

They meet Esme and Hugh, who have just moved in nearby. Hugh is older, Esme is expecting, and their guest Joseph seems to have a close, unusual relationship with Esme. Esme and Iris become friends, but Laure horns in. Iris develops a little crush on Joseph but here comes Esme again. And where is Pierre all this time? He’s not replying to Gabriel’s calls or texts, hasn’t contacted Esme or come to smooth things out.

So lots of people with emotional issues, secrets, hidden motives, shifting loyalties, and suddenly a lot of death. We get a lot of detail about day-to-day life, what everyone is doing, and what they are thinking – although we can’t be sure about that. I have enjoyed every book by B. A. Paris since the beginning but it was at about this point in The Guest that I started to become weary. The pace is slow and author Paris takes us down long, often convoluted paths where we think, “Aha! I know who did it.” But then something happens and we are left wondering how we went wrong and start down another path. In the end there are too many people, most of them not too likable, too many red herrings and unexplained events. There is a big surprise at the end, but at that point I was surprised/not surprised because who else could it be by this point? The epilogue is far too long and seemed more like a recap or an essay than an active part of this story.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of The Guest via NetGalley. Although it was not quite for me I believe many readers will enjoy it, as there is a constant level of suspense and discomfort throughout the story and many twists and turns. I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.

This was a great paced and fun read. Great twists and turns and kept me engaged the entire read. A friend is in your house when you return from a trip and she’s sleeping in your bed and wearing your clothes? Little strange don’t you think?? This book has some plot twists that kept me guessing.

This story begins with a struggling couple, Gabriel and Iris, coming home to an unexpected guest and mutual friend- Laure. Laure has arrived after hearing a terrible new secret about her husband, also a friend to the couple. She arrives at a time of grief for Gabriel, as he’s just lost his dad and witnessed the death of a young boy. There’s something lingering - guilt or fear- about the incident with the young boy that’s caused Gabriel and Iris to grow distant.

A new couple appears in the neighborhood, Esme and Hugh, who are also hosting a guest- Joseph. Joseph is a recovering alcoholic and is staying with the couple to work on their landscaping for the summer.

Many questions start to arise that are solved throughout this story. What is Gabriel hiding ? What really happened with Laure and her husband? What is Joseph hiding about his past?

I love this author, and I will admit I was hooked while reading this book. The ending came crashing in all at once and, for me, was a bit underwhelming, so I went with the three stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book started out as a story of a woman Laure who leaves her husband and intrudes on friends while trying to cope with this decision. I totally sympathized with the friends, Iris and Gabriel until…….. Wow the twists began and I was floored. This is definitely a must read.


Thank you to B A Paris and NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book in exchange for my review.

The Guest is a domestic suspense novel where you know something is going to happen and that you don't know the whole story but it will probably take you until the end to put all the pieces together. It's a slow burn so don't pick it up thinking you'll be doing a page turner that will keep you up late at night. But it's certainly suspenseful and mysterious.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the electronic advanced copy. Expected publication date is February 20, so put it on your list to pick up.

Well, if anyone has read any of her books they know this one is just as amazing as the others! Twisty, turny, and had me guessing until the end! Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for my review!

The Guest is a fun thriller written by one of my favorite suspense writers. It is about Iris and Gabriel who end up with an unwanted guest.

It did take me a bit of time to truly become invested in the story. Especially because their guest Laure was taking advantage of their kindness. But by the second half I really enjoyed the characters. And could not wait to see how the book would end.

I definitely thought that the book was over by the two thirds mark. However the author had more to reveal. The end definitely made me think. But overall this was a good thriller.

Another B.A. Paris win! A tense, psychological thriller.

Iris and Gabriel have had a rough few months when their friend Laure shows up at their home to stay for an extended period of time. She needs a break from her husband Pierre. As time passes, Laure continues to extend her stay, creating a tense environment in the own home. While out on a run one day to escape the stress at home, Iris meets Esme, a new neighbor and quickly becomes friends with her and her husband Hugh. They even hire Joseph, Esme's friend, to help Gabriel with a gardening project. A move both Iris and Gabriel start to question due to his checkered past.

I could barely put this book down. I stayed up late and woke up early to read as much as I could.
It's full of twists, secrets, lies, and shocking revelations.

Thank you NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and B.A Paris for providing me with an Advanced Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Overall the book kept me interested in what was happening and where the story was going but the big twist was a letdown. Would give this 2.5 stars.

I have read and enjoyed every one of this author’s published books. I was so excited to get a chance to dive into this one. I like how this author always write short chapters that keep you wanting more.

I was a fan of the points of view we got to read from as the story unfolded. I have to say I saw a twist coming at the end, but I didn’t expect to be so mind blown. As always this author wraps everything up in a neat bow for us readers.

If I’m gonna read a mystery/thriller by an author I already know I’m fond of I won’t read the synopsis. In this case I’m really glad I didn’t because everything came as such a surprise to me.

I was excited to receive a NetGalley ARC of The Guest!
I really liked Paris’s Behind Closed Doors and was hoping for a similar ride in this book. Overall, the story was exciting and unpredictable. Several times, I thought I knew exactly who had done what, and I found myself wrong in the end.
There were a handful of chapters that seemed repetitive, but their brevity makes up for it. I noted a few typos throughout that I hope the publisher will correct before the final manuscripts.
I would recommend The Guest to any reader looking for a mild thrill with some intense resolution. This one kept my mind spinning with possibilities and was easy to read and keep track of despite having lots of characters.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s, for the early reading copy!

This book had twists that I did not see coming!!! Great plot & storyline that had me interested throughout! Loved the characters!

Another engrossing story of domestic suspense from one of the best authors in the genre. A husband and wife return home from a trip to find that a friend, distraught over her collapsing marriage, has moved into the house. And she seems intent on staying. The consequences spiral outward in this beautifully plotted tale, making readers wonder what they would do in the same circumstances.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

B.A. Paris definitely earned her hype and is one of my auto-buy authors. The Guest is a little different from the other books that I’ve read by her though. It is a slower paced mystery and I thought it was cleverly written how in a few chapters we’ll start off in present tense but then we end up rewinding a few times. I enjoyed the story but had a hard time with a couple of main characters. I’d recommend this book to those who enjoy a nice and slow burn.

What a crazy and twisty story. The characters wee so good and well-developed. I never saw the end coming and was mind blown.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I've read most of B.A. Paris' books and am always excited to see a new one coming out.

Iris & Gabriel arrive home from a vacation, to find their friend Laure staying at their house. She recently fled Paris after finding out that her husband had fathered a child outside of their relationship. She does not have the details, but feels betrayed and needs some time away from him. Gabriel having long been friends with her husband Pierre is left wondering what happened. There is little to no contact from Pierre, Laure's not coming forth with additional information either.

This book was a slow start for me. I found it hard to find myself interested in the story. I did not like Laure's character and found her hard to connect with. I was vaguely interested in story, but it was just a slow going read for me, until I reached the epilogue. Man did that epilogue pack a punch. The epilogue alone bumped the book up 1/2 a star for me...3.5 total.

Wow, B.A. Paris does it again! I have to say I enjoyed this one a lot more than I excepted. It's funny because when I first picked it up I almost DNFed it. I wasn't really into it. I decided I would keep going and I'm glad I did. It's a slowburn book. but will leave you shocked by the end!

*Thank you so much to Negalley and the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an arc in exchange for my honest opinions.

Publication: February 20, 2024

Rating: 2 stars

Paris’ books are hit or miss for me and I struggled with this book. I’m not sure if it’s a me problem but I felt that this wasn’t necessarily a thriller but rather a drama. I just couldn’t get into it with how slow the pacing was.

I love BA Paris but unfortunately, this one fell a little flat. It was so slow and I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters.

A book with a good premise, but too slow pacing.
The beginning was too slow. The characters were dull.
The pages didn't come alive.
The big twist didn't get me. Maybe because I wasn't engaged anymore.

2 stars.