I've been a B.A. Paris fan since her first novel, "Behind Closed Doors" in 2016. Her books usually grab me in the first chapter and take off like a whirlwind. This one didn't. It was a much slower build and it seemed to meander along with the main characters struggling with their relationships and wallowing in their individual guilt. But it picked up in the second half and like most of her books I definitely did not see the twist coming. Strongly recommended

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

Sadly this was not my favourite of B.A.Paris releases. It felt very formulaic and predictable. Just didn't offer anything new or exciting.

Okay what the what? I’m glad I listened to this book at 2.5 speed instead of reading it because it feels like a total waste of my time. There have been a few of this authors books that I really enjoyed but at this point there have been too many duds, and I might just have to give up.

The first 70% of this book is so slow and so boring and then the last 30% is absolutely wild with way too many things happening all at once for me to even care because I was so bored for most of the book. None of the characters were likeable, which disconnected me from the story even more. Maybe I’m just too annoyed to write a nicer review, but this book was not for me and I won’t be suggesting it to anybody.

What a twisted story. The ending gave me whiplash. There was something so utterly enticing about The Guest. When I wasn’t reading it, I was thinking about it, wondering where it was heading. And let me tell you, I never guessed where it was heading. I was tricked, I was fooled, I was flabbergasted. I really loved this thriller from B. A. Paris. It was masterfully done.

The Guest by B.A. Paris follows Iris and Gabriel returning from a holiday to find their friend Laure at their home. Newly separated from her husband, Pierre, she overstays her welcome quickly. They learn Pierre has a secret love child. Iris and Gabriel want to support both friends, but Laure's behavior in their home is making that quite difficult. A very twisty story that keeps you guessing until the very end.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin's Press for an advanced audiobook of The Guest in exchange for my honest review.

Have you ever read a B. A. Paris book? They are pretty thrilling typically. This one was a good story but didn't twist until the very end.

Iris and Gabriel are recovering from Gabriel finding Charlie Ingram dead in the quarry when they arrive home to their best friend Laure is at their house unexpectedly. They find out that Laure and her husband Pierre have fallen on hard times, and Laure felt like she needed time away to think things through.

Though they welcome her with open arms, there comes a point where they feel she has started to overstay her welcome. Gabriel is faced with meeting with Charlie's mother and the neighbor's gardener is an odd character in all of this.

At the end of the book, there are three bodies, no murdered (until the epilogue) and lots of questions about what's going on. I would give this one 4 stars because while the story was good and kept me guessing, it kept me guessing in a sort of bad way. Like get to the point, or when is the twist coming?

#TheGuest #NetGalley

I really liked this book! I couldn’t tell at all where the story was going to go or how the characters would all come together and normally I’m pretty good at figuring out the twist but I couldn’t figure it out here. Really great read!

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin's Press for an ALC of The Guest by B.A. Paris.

This book follows Iris and Gabriel, coming back from a holiday to find their friend Laure in their home. She overstays her welcome quickly, sleeping in their bed, wearing their clothes and rearranging their furniture. Laure's walked out on her husband, their good friend Pierre, and has nowhere to stay. He's confessed to having an affair and a secret child. How can they be supportive of both friends? Is there more to the story?

I really enjoyed this audiobook and found myself wanting to listen at any chance I got! The narrator can really make or break an audiobook and this one was a great selection. This one has lots of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the VERY end, but wasn't drawn out or a slow-burn. Juicy! As always, can't wait to see what B.A. Paris comes up with next.

This was a very slow burn, but I was still pulled in immediately- I loved getting to know all the characters and slowly uncovering more information piece by piece. The twist took longer to come than I thought, but I could not have predicted it!

This book kept me guessing! There was a lot of build up and quite a bit of head scratching on this one. I thought I had it figured out and some of it I did have correct but the rest went in a completely different direction than I had anticipated. I have read several books by this author and they are among my favorites, this one was no exception. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good thriller that keeps you guessing until the end!

If you want to read a very suspenseful thriller, then read The Guest by B.A. Paris which is released on February 20, 2024. This ARC I received from Netgalley kept me reading every spare minute day and night till I found out what happened between the main characters Gabriel and Iris Pelley, their family, friends, and neighbors. After arriving home from an extended trip to Scotland, the couple find a friend, Laure, staying in their house. When you find out why and all the drama involved, and especially the ending! OMG! I never guessed! Blew me away!

Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I loved Behind Closed Doors, but really struggled to get into this one or care enough about the story to want to pick it up again. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the quick small chapters that made it so easy to just keep reading 'one more chapter'. Initially getting the characters all sorted out took me a second, but once I knew who everyone was and their role it all aligned from there. The character development is great! It was a slow burn thriller that took you for a ride.
The beginning was character build up and really getting to know who was in this story. In the middle there were so many twist and turns. One thing after another kept happening and everyone was trying to put the pieces together. The ending, 😳😳😳😳 blew my mind. My jaw DROPPED. I had to stop for a second and re-think about everything I had just read!
Loved this book. I recommend it to anyone who likes domestic thrillers, physiological thrillers, twists and turns, and shocking ending type reads.
I went back and forth on 4 or 5 stars, the ending is what pushed it up to a 5. I just did not see that coming! It really tied up the whole story in a nice little bow and everything made sense.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and the author for the chance to read the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a quick thriller with a lovely setting in England. It was full of twists and features some interesting characters.

A very twisty domestic thriller that reads beautifully. You don't know what's coming until it hits. There's a tidal wave of death smashing into the lives of Iris and Gabriel. Everyone around them is dropping (some quite literally) dead. A little repetitiveness, but the plot is solid and the story is twisty in surprising ways. A quality who-done-it in an English village. I loved the descriptions of their homes. I'd pretty convinced I want to live in the new neighbors' house and I know I'd love a walled secret garden.

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review, which I'm happy to provide. Nicely done.

B.A. Paris has done it again.

This story is about two couples, fast friends, and crazy situations. Makes you wonder how you would react if a long time friend showed up on your doorstep needing a place to stay. How will you respond? How will your spouse/significant other respond?

It is hard to put it down because you want to see what is about to happen.

B. A. Paris stands out as one of my preferred authors, celebrated for her works in the realm of domestic thrillers. In the case of "The Guest," I'd categorize it more as a family drama with elements of mystery rather than a conventional thriller. The narrative of "The Guest" captivated me, holding my attention as I eagerly anticipated the unfolding events. The storyline keeps you guessing about what might happen next, and in true Paris fashion, it concludes with an unexpected twist. It's essential to note that while "The Guest" is a compelling read, it deviates from the style of "Behind Closed Doors." The narrative complexity in "The Guest" may leave you wondering about its direction, but rest assured, the destination is unpredictable and far from anything you might anticipate.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.........I really enjoyed this psychological thriller.......lots of surprises in the end...I really enjoy this author's works!

Rating 3.5

I normally love BA Paris books ! The other ones I’ve read so far have all been 5 stars for me , However this one fell short for me, maybe because I was expecting another fast paced, can’t put the book down like the others , and this one being a slow burn, and a little confusing at first with all the characters, and I wasn’t connecting to them. I found myself getting bored half way and at one point skimming just to get through it.

I didn’t want to give up though, I was invested enough to want to know how it was all going to unravel. I’m glad I stuck it out because the epilogue saved the book for me, and for that I do still recommend it, and I think the twist and mystery to it all, a lot of readers will enjoy! I’ve seen a lot of amazing 5 star reviews on this one. It just wasn’t my favourite.

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for the ARC in exchange for my honesty review!

Wow that plot twist! Through the whole book there was one person that I really could not stand, but who knew it wouldn’t be the bad guy?! I really enjoyed this book and read it as fast as I possibly could.