Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC! I’ve been a huge fan of Paris’s books since I read Behind Closed Doors a couple of years ago.

I really enjoyed The Guest, but I will say it’s more of a slow burn than her other books. I felt this book was very dialogue heavy and at times felt repetitive. That being said, I definitely didn’t see the last chapter coming and I liked how she tied everything together.

I would recommend this book to fans of domestic dramas!

I have enjoyed all of B.A. Paris’ books including this one. So many secrets and twists that I didn’t see coming.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martens Press for an ARC of this book.

Now that was twisted!!! So many plot elements that all merged into an explosive ending!

Iris and Gabriel are empty nesters with their daughter Beth taking a gap year in Greece before she starts uni. Unexpectedly, one day, their good friend Laure shows up stating that her husband Pierre has confessed to fathering a child with another woman but won't say who. He and Laure are taking a break so he can decide what to do. Meanwhile, Gabriel is on leave from his work as a doctor. He is out for a walk when he comes across a young man who is near death after riding his bike off the ledge of a quarry. Just before he passes, he tells Gabriel something, which causes him to spiral. New to the neighbourhood are Esme and Hugh who are expecting their first child. Living in their carriage house is their attractive gardner, Joseph, who comes with a checkered past. As Iris befriends Esme, she starts to learn more about the couple and Joseph.

I will admit there were a lot of characters and plot elements introduced at the start, which made it initially confusing and difficult to know who was who. However, once I was able to sort it all out after a few chapters, the book was unputdownable! I was utterly gripped by the cryptic plot, unsure where it was going.

I would've given this book five stars except I guessed the reveal at about the 80 percent mark. So bummed! Nevertheless, it was a fantastic domestic suspense that I would absolutely recommend!

A gracious thank you to @Netgalley, and @St.Martin'sPress for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

B.A. Paris's latest psychological thriller, "The Guest," revolves around Iris and Gabriel, a seemingly perfect couple with a beautiful home in the British countryside. However, their idyllic life takes a dark turn when Gabriel witnesses a tragic accident in a nearby quarry, burdening him with a guilty secret. The tension escalates further when their friend Laure becomes an unexpected house guest.

As always, B.A. Paris excels in building an atmosphere of unease and suspense. Even though I did not find the characters particularly likable, the mystery kept me turning the pages eager to see what was going to happen. But the reason I will recommend this book to everyone is because of the ending alone! As someone who reads A LOT of thrillers, I was truly caught completely off guard by this one. Overall this was a great book and further solidifies why I will continue to read anything B.A. Paris publishes!

Iris and Gabriel are a happy British couple whose life was impacted after Gabriel came upon a young man who had just suffered a horrible accident. They take a getaway to try and ease Gabriel's distress, and when they return home, they find their friend Laure has unexpectedly been staying at their house while she processes the news of her husband having a child with another woman. Laure's stay begins to stretch longer than expected, with odd events happening quite often. New characters and new developments keep this story moving along quickly and keep the reader guessing.

B.A. Paris's new releases are always an immediate read for me (and for good reason!) This one was deliciously wicked and shocking. I loved getting to know all of the characters and thought the dynamics between them were expertly laid out. I was so intrigued by each of them and what their inner motives were. I was completely shocked by the reveals at the end. I think those reveals really wrapped up the book perfectly. This was really well plotted and executed. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This has to be one of my favorite books this year! I’ve grown so used to guessing the twists and plot points of most domestic thrillers but this one, I did not see coming. The story is a bit complicated to follow at first because we’re introduced to quite a few characters. But once you get past that, you will be tangled in their web of drama, lies and mysteries. Gabriel and Iris are a married couple going through a rough patch when their friend Laure shows up asking if she can stay with them a few weeks. She’s left her husband Pierre and needs some space. We also meet a new couple down the street named Esme and Hugh who are expecting their first child. The beginning of this book CAN get a bit repetitive but I feel at the end it all ties together so perfectly and you see why the author put emphasis on certain things the characters did or said. I was so impressed with some small details and things I should have caught and didn’t! Loved it!

The Guest by B.A Paris
My rating:
3/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️

When Iris and Gabrielle return to their home after a trip, they realize someone has been in their house. To their relief and confusion, it is their friend Laure, who has been staying there while they were gone because she was having issues with her husband Pierre. The couples had said that they could stay at each others places if they ever needed to while the others were away.

Honestly, this book was not my favorite and that’s a bummer because this was my first book from the author. I had heard great things about some of her books, so I will be reading a couple more even though this missed the mark for me.

I didn’t really relate to any of the main characters and nothing in this book actually happened for the first half of this book besides Laure being there and overstaying her welcome.

The second half of the book did pick up, but I still have questions even after a hefty epilogue. I will say that I was pleasantly surprised with the twisty ending, but it was too cookie cutter for me to find realistic. There was so little happening during the actual book and the epilogue went out with a bang it was just too much going on at once for it to be satisfying.

I was able to read this and also listen at the same time as I was approved for the audiobook version in edition to the kindle version. I really enjoyed the narrator and felt she did a great job! Overall this one was not my favorite but still entertaining and I definitely wanted to see how everything played out.

Thank you netgalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan audio for the ARCS! This will be available in late February of 2024!

This was a 2.5 star for me. I normally have liked b. A. Paris books but this one missed the mark for me. It felt like the author wasn’t into it and that the characters just feel flat all the way around. The first chapter was intriguing and then it’s not really referenced at all until the very end. I thought it might have been better if they did a flash back at the beginning to weave some teasers in throughout like perhaps the killers point of view chapters (without knowing who that person is). Otherwise I didn’t see the point of the flashback beginning. The end felt just copied and pasted in there, like oh let’s just go with this ending with no real tie ins during the entire book. Usually they weave something in earlier to at least make it make sense. I didn’t find myself really liking or enjoying any of the characters either they all lacked life and dimension. I will keep trying b. A parks and hope the next one is a little better.

The story never fully captivated me. I was excited for another BA Paris book, but it let me down. I didn’t hate it, but it wasn’t a love like I anticipated. I think it was because it took so long for me to get into the story.

I didn't find any of the characters likable, the pacing was slow to the point that I was able to put my kindle down and not think about it again until I knew I needed to force myself through it. That's never a good sign when reading a book but especially for a thriller.

Unfortunately this is a no for me.

I've become an avid fan of this author, deeply appreciating their unique writing style that manages to capture and hold my attention. The narrative, however, delves into themes that didn't particularly resonate with me, notably the exploration of secrets and the involvement of children. These aspects, while well-executed, didn't personally engage my interests, leaving me with a somewhat melancholic feeling.

Despite these thematic nuances, it's crucial to acknowledge the inherent quality of the story. The plot unfolds in a manner that is anything but mundane, and the author's storytelling prowess shines through. The emotional weight of the narrative, though not entirely relatable for me, adds a layer of complexity that might strongly resonate with a different audience.

What struck me as less appealing might, in fact, be the very elements that draw other readers in. The emotional depth and intricate storytelling might be appreciated by those who aren't sensitive to the particular themes that gave me pause. It's a testament to the author's skill that the narrative can evoke such varied responses.

In conclusion, while the story may not align with my personal preferences and left me feeling a bit somber, I recognize its merits and potential appeal to a broader readership. This novel is far from boring and is likely to find a place in the hearts of those who aren't hindered by the themes that gave me pause.

Absolutely loved this book. A definite page turner and one of my top reads. B. A Paris is one of my favorite authors. 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book except it was kind of a slow burn.

I wanted to stay with it because B.A Paris is one of my favorite authors!

If you stay with this book it does pick up! Most of the characters are very unlikable but I think that was the intention!

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

I've loved a few BA Paris books but found this one very hard to get into. Did not end up finishing unfortunately. I'm a big mood reader and think I was just not in the mood for this book. May look at reading it again in the future.

The ending of this book definitely made up for how slow paced it was. I felt like the storyline between Iris, Gabriel, Pierre, and Laure would have been enough for the book, so the whole storyline with Charlie seemed like a bit of an odd filler. I still enjoyed how it wrapped up but I think less time could’ve been spent on Gabriel/Charlie and more on Pierre/Laure. It felt like an unnecessary distraction. Overall this one was solid and did have me trying to put all the pieces together throughout the book.

😳😳 Me after reading the epilogue to this book. Wowsa! I didn’t see it coming. The book is a bit of a slow burn but it’s worth sticking it out to the end. I also found a few of the characters to be annoying (Laure especially) but I think you were supposed to be annoyed with her, so mission accomplished. 🫡 Overall, if you enjoy a slow burning domestic thriller then you’ll enjoy this one!

Thank you to NetGalley, St, Martins Press & B.A. Paris!

When Iris & Gabriel return from vacation to find their friend Laure has essentially moved into their home they're not overly concerned. After all, Iris & Gabriel sometimes use Laure & her husband Pierre's Parisian home while they are away, it's something the couples have become quite used to.... except this time, Laure isn't leaving any time soon.

I am so torn about this book that it took me two days to write my review. The description of this book, essentially a house guest that won't leave and starts displaying some very 'Single White Female' type behaviors, seemed intriguing. I imagined how much tension could come from a situation where someone you are close with won't leave. And for a little bit, it seemed like that was the way the book was going. Laure displays increasingly odd behavior..... but then nothing happens for the entire middle of the book. The characters, plus a random (or not?) landscaper as well as a neighbor couple, interact with each other in increasingly bizarre ways. Even about 80% of the way in I truly had no idea where this book was going.

The epilogue was absolutely shocking and I did not see it coming at all. I think the author did an awesome job of giving you only certain secondhand information so that you don't guess the ending. and I sat there enthralled as the epilogue unfolded. I generally do not like a wrap-up tell-all epilogue, but I truly enjoyed this one and could not put it down. I just sat there in my office for several minutes after it ended. I'm not 100% sure the end overrides the dragged-out middle, but ultimately I have to conclude it does. Definitely give this one a go, but only if you're willing to stick it out to the end!

I absolutely devoured this book. I could not put it down! I will say, there is a lot of "extra" that made me constantly say "how is this relevant!?"...but I am not one to let extra dialogue stand in the way of my enjoyment of an immensely intriguing plot.

Now. The Guest. Which guest!? Iris and Gabriel have their long time friend of theirs staying with them. She is having marital issues and is definitely overstaying her welcome (if you have ever had a guest like this, like I have, you will 100% relate). Esme and her hubby also have a guest staying with them....a recovering alcoholic who has escaped to their family home to do some work and stay on the wagon.

Everyone is dealing with their own drama. And then it's tragedy on tragedy on tragedy. Enjoy this ride while you wait for answers! While everything seems to be wrapped up in a nice clean bow by the end.....is it really?

Thank you to SMP, NetGalley, and B.A. Paris for the advanced copy! This book is definitely TBR worthy.

I’ve read and loved every B.A. Paris book, and this was no exception. I was so excited to get approved for this ARC!

B.A. Paris does an amazing job of luring you into the story almost instantly. She brings in just enough characters for you to be able to keep track of them all and leave you wondering who’s to blame. I had my theories throughout the book, and as always, they were incorrect🤣I got to 90% through and still had no idea how she was going to wrap it all up. I wouldn’t say it was my favorite book of hers, but it was definitely a good one that I think you’ll enjoy reading😊